Our Featured Designer Spotlight will be shared this month between Kathy Winters Designs and Laurinda’s DigiScraps and in order to get to know them better…..we asked them both several questions about themselves, both personal and professional. Here are their interviews:
Kathy Winters Designs
1.What is the name of the designer responsible for the creative designs of [Kathy Winters Designs]?
That’s an easy one, Kathy Winters. I started out with the design name of WordArt Fun, which is still the name I use for my blog but once I decided that I might want to design something other than wordart, I changed my design name.
2. Where do you live?
I’ve lived in Michigan, “The Great Lake State” all my life. I grew up in a very small town and farming community in the Thumb of Michigan but I now live near the Saginaw Bay in the Tri-Cities area. Michigan is a tough place to be right now with the auto industry struggling to rebuild itself and the highest unemployment rate in the nation but I still love it here and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Where else can you find yourself surround by all the splendor that the Great Lakes has to offer?
3. Tell us about yourself, your family, etc.
I’m married to a wonderful man and we share our lives with two funny little dogs, a Yorkie and a Doxie. Although I have a degree in Human Resource Management, my husband and I have been self-employed for the past 3 1/2 years running a guest delivery service for a major home improvement chain. Being in business for ourselves has been rewarding and needless to say, challenging over the past year with the economy in turmoil but we work well together and try to maintain a positive attitude. We count our blessing every day.
4. When and how did you become involved in Digital Scrap Design?
I discovered digital scrapbooking a year ago while attempting to put together a scrapbook album for my niece’s 16th birthday. I had 16 years worth of photos to go through so traditional scrapbooking was not an option. I immediately became addicted to the creative process. Once the scrapbook was completed, I was hunger for more, which eventually lead me to designing wordart. I’m addicted to fonts and I love words, quotes, and phrases so the combination was a natural fit for me.
5. How often do you get to create layouts that are “just because” I want to scrap?
Hardly ever! About the only time I scrap a layout is when I’m hosting or participating in a challenge here at Scrapable. One of the draw backs, I think to devoting your time to designing, is that you don’t get to spend much time scrapping “just because.” I think it’s important to try to squeeze it in though because I don’t want to get burned out on just designing. I don’t ever want this adventure to feel like work.
6. Which of your designs is your “all time” favorite?
I knew you were going to ask this question! Hmm… I recently had the pleasure to create some wordart using the “Cowboy Up” kit by Laurinda’s DigiScraps and the “Weekend Getaway” kit by Teri’s Thing-O-My-Jigs, which was a blast because they were both fun kits. However, I think my favorite kit at this point is “Coloring Outside The Box.” I loved to color when I was a kid and there was nothing better than a new box of Crayons so I had been wanting to do this wordart pack for a long time. At the time, I was stuck on a name for the kit so I had a blog contest to challenge my followers to “name that kit.” I love my followers.
7. What aspect of designing do you find most challenging?
I recently decided that it would be fun to design something other than wordart so I’m now working on several theme kits. I like designing papers with rich colors and texture but when it comes to the elements in the kit, I struggle a bit because I’m not always sure what I should include but I do love a challenge so I work it out eventually.
8. Who are a few of your favorite designers and why?
I’ve always been a big fan of Kay Miller Designs and Raspberry Road. I love Kay’s designs because they are full of cuteness! So clean and pure with most kits taking on a pastel tone. What I love about Raspberry Road is the old fashion feel of her designs. I love vintage images, old postcards, and greeting cards and her designs remind me of these items.
9. What did you want to be when you grew up and why?
Yikes! Who can remember back that far! I think my biggest problem was that I didn’t know what I wanted to be. When I first entered into college, I wanted to be do something in Computer Programming but quickly found myself moving toward becoming an Accountant. I worked as an Accounts Payable clerk for 10 years and then was given an opportunity to move over into the Payroll department, which eventually lead me to Human Resources. I didn’t earn my degree in Human Resource Management until I was 40 years old. I can tell you what I didn’t want to do and that was be in business for myself but things change and opportunities arise and here I am running my own little business with my husband. You just never know where life is going to take you. One of my favorite sayings, “When life takes you for a ride…. hang on tight!”
10. Where is the most interesting place you have ever visited and why?
Hmm…. that is a toss up! I took a long weekend trip to New York City in the summer of 2005 with some girlfriends from work and we had a blast. Such a cool place to be and so many things to do but I’m leaning toward San Francisco. In the Fall of 2005, I traveled on a 10-day trip with my sister and step-mother — just the girls! We had so much fun and it’s such a great place to visit and experience. Being on the bay and Fisherman’s Wharf, traveling over the Golden Gate Bridge, touring the vineyards/wineries and Alcatraz was an amazing experience for this country girl.
Laurinda’s DigiScraps
1.What is the name of the designer responsible for the creative designs of Laurinda’s DigiScraps?
Well, as you’ve probably guessed my name is Laurinda. My mom and dad thought it was cute because it was a combination of their names, Larry & Linda. My family just calls me Lauri.
2. Where do you live?
I’m blessed to live in what I believe is one of the most beautiful places in the world, Northwest Montana. We’re right at the foot of the Rocky Mountains and just a short drive to Glacier National Park. Here the summers are short, and the winters are long, but each season is such an exciting change. It really is gorgeous.
3. Tell us about yourself, your family, etc.
Well, let’s see, I’ve been married for just about 19 years to my sweetheart, the greatest guy ever (He has to be great to put up with me). We have two teenage boys, 14 and 16 years old. And, Just so you know, We’re all redheads. I never thought I’d marry a redheaded man, but he was just so darn cute and sweet, I couldn’t refuse. The boys had no chance of escaping it.
About 5 years ago our whole family was baptized on a boat ramp at one of the coldest lakes in the area. I know what you’re thinking, and yes, we are hicks! : ) But we’re doing our best to raise our boys to love Jesus and walk with him always.
We’ve been homeschooling our boys since our oldest was in 1st grade. It works out so well for our family. They do amaze me with the crazy things they come up with. Boys just think differently than girls. Science projects (and quite a bit of their spare time) are usually about propelling some sort of object through the air or water. Of course, my hubby loves this part of it too.
4. When and how did you become involved in Digital Scrap Design?
I guess my first experience with designing was about 8 years ago. My hubby had bought me my first wide format printer. I was paper scrapbooking at the time, and the possibilities of digital just seemed endless. I only had the Printshop for software back then so it limited what I could create. I had no idea that this huge industry would one day be available on the web. I kept designing stuff for myself over the years. Some of that early stuff looks so cheesy to me now. I bought my first PSE a few years ago, but I didn’t start selling my designs until last fall, after a lot of prompting from my husband.
5. How often do you get to create layouts that are “just because” I want to scrap?
Very seldom these days. Real life keeps getting in the way of my playtime.
6. Which of your designs is your “all time” favorite?
It’s a toss up between Cowboy Up and Vintage Romance and my newest kit Sweet Freedom. I love to create the lacey girly stuff, but with all these boys around the guy stuff isn’t just fun, it’s a necessity.
7. What aspect of designing do you find most challenging?
Finding the time would be my biggest challenge lately. Everything new is a challenge but I love to take it on. I’m constantly leaning new techniques so hopefully I’ll continue to improve my work.
8. Who are a few of your favorite designers and why?
Oh goodness, that’s a tough one…I love Lynn Griffin’s style, and Shabby Miss Jenn’s style too. Oh, there are just so many great designers to choose from, it’s hard to narrow it down.
9. What did you want to be when you grew up and why?
I wanted to be a wife and mother since I was about 5 years old. I always wanted to be able to stay at home and raise my own children. I guess I wanted to be like my mom. She took such good care of us and she was always there for us.
10. Where is the most interesting place you have ever visited and why?
Hmmm…I’ve traveled a little both inside and outside the US, but I suppose New York City was the most interesting. It seemed like a combination of Las Vegas and Tijuana. However, my favorite place to be is HOME.
They have been busy collaborating on a something “fabulous” to share with you over the next several weeks as their gift to you.
This is the preview of their collaboration kit titled “FABULOUS 50’s” and it can be yours for free as part of our Weekly Wednesday Download.
Here is what you will receive as part of Week 1’s download.
So how do you get your hands on this most unique kit? Easy! Each Wednesday, you will be able to download a part of “FABULOUS 50′S” and all you have to do is be a member of our forum.
Not registered in our forums? It’s easy to get registered, just click HERE to be taken to the forum and hit the Register button in the left corner just below the Cabana Girl’s banners. Once registered, you can access the Wednesday Weekly Dowload by clicking on the Download button at the top of the forum. So what are you waiting for, surf on over and get registered!
But I’m wishing all Americans a very happy 4th of July!!
