Scrap Happiness Inside: CT Member Spotlight

Hi all! Beth here with a spotlight on Rachel Stiverson (aka RealRach), who also happens to be a dear friend of mine. :-) Please meet Rachel!

Rachel's Sweet Shoppe Gallery

1. What made you apply to for Krystal Hartley's team?
Honestly, I didn't apply to the team! I have had a personal friendship with Krystal for years and when she went into designing, I just always joked that I would help her and she graciously agreed. I was the her FIRST EVER CT MEMBER!! I don't brag on myself much but please let me have this moment...ah....thank you!

2. What are your favorite types of products to work with (you can mention specific favorites, but I'd really like to know if you are a paper addict, brushes, doodles...whatever).
My favorite types of products to work with are those that are close to paper style. I am first and foremost a memory preserver. I bet you all thought I would say ORANGE STUFF!! heehee Wait for it...

3. When do you scrap? Naptimes, after the kids go to bed?
I really don't have a specific time. I do it whenever I can, really. But I guess mostly in the evenings. I'm a night owl for sure. But at the same time I can get up early with a smile on my face ready to greet the day!

4. What are your strengths as a CTM? Weaknesses?
My strengths as a CTM are my speed. I am able to get my thoughts together quickly and can get it done fast. My weakness would be remembering to post that I have posted. I have a hard time remembering to come back and link up my work. Believe me...it's done and I can prove it if you need me too!

5. Show us your first page.

6. How many times do you use a product?
I would say it depends on the kit. Some kits get used a few times over but then some just once. Mainly because I have so many layouts that I need to do in a week that I just don't have the time to go back and use them as much as I want.

7. Do you scrap mainly for memory preservation or for creative fulfillment?
I would say first is memory preservation. I do enjoy the creative fulfillment along the way too! If I get the itch for paper, I'll break out a hybrid project. But I really do NOT miss the mess, the storage, the cost of paper scrapping.

8. Who are some of your favorite scrappers and why?
I can say without hesitation that Krystal Hartley is my favorite scrapper. I have loved her style from the first time I ever met her. I do miss seeing her layouts. I have heard her say she is going to start scrapping more but I will believe that when I see it! (jab...jab...jab...) Next up would have to be Cheryl Ashcraft (gonewiththewind) She's amazing and leaves me speechless on most occasions. I have just recently found that Kay Miller (KayM) is "speaking" to me too. There are so many amazing CTM out there I just can't begin to name them all. I love to just search the galleries and admire their work.

9. Are you drawn to one color more than others?
Not really....bwahahahahaha Riiightttt....All together now shall we....ready, set, go....ORANGE!!!

10. What software do you use?
I used Creative Suite 2. I would love to get CS5 but it's a thing called money. Anyone wanna share some with me?!

11. What is your current favorite layout (that you made)?
See below. (You can also click here to see it in my gallery.)

12. What's your favorite scrap trend? I'm not really sure I have a favorite trend?
It really depends on what Krystal and the other designers give me to work with as to what I do with it. As I said, I tend to do pages that could be done with paper too.

13. What do you "just not get?" (ex. chandeliers, owls, 3-d, etc.)
I "just don't get" why anyone would not want to scrap with Krystal stuff?! LOL mwahahaha... I love to try it all! There's always the UNDO button!

14. Do you know any digi scrappers in real life?
Well, as you know, I know Krystal personally but we do not live close. I have also met a few of my fellow CTM on Krystal's team in real life. I have a local friend who is just getting into digi, Hi Bev!, but other than that, it's just a bunch of Cyber Friends who mean as much as my real life friends to me!

15. Krystal's thinking about getting a Mac. Should she? Why or why not?
A big mac?? I don't eat them anymore. Way too many points in my opinion. *snicker That's a war I'm not willing to touch.

16. What's your best workflow (time management) tip when it comes to scrapbooking?
My best tip...well, I love to take any kit and just open the whole darn thing at once and look at what paper speaks to me and then just lump the elements on a page and move them around, re-size, delete. I know within a few seconds which elements are ME. I also have a fetish for templates. I will say that sometimes, you may have no clue I even used a template because I change it up so much...but it gives me direction when I am lost. I also try to find a photo before I even begin the kit based off what I find in the preview. That's the hard part for me...finding the perfect photo. Because I scrap for memory preservation...I have lots of event type photos of my boys, family, etc. I am totally caught up with my scrapping too. Just for the record!

Here's another one of Rachel's awesome layouts that I made a template from just for you!