Friday Featured Staffer – Nikki!
Happy Friday Sweet Shoppers! Today I have a wonderful scrapper and fabulous woman that I got to know over the past year. This Friday we are featuring Nikki Hawkins (nikkiARNGwife) and we have a cookie!! Make sure you visit her gallery here – and leave her some love. J
Here’s how Nikki started scrapping:
“In the fall of 2005, when my son was a baby, I decided to try and start a paper scrapbook of his first year. I quickly learned after my first page that paper scrapping was not for me – too much mess and way too expensive. Soon after that I discovered digi and never looked back. I started out using PSP8 because I already had it on my PC at the time. I’ve upgraded several times since then and currently use PSP X2 for all my layouts and Lightroom 3 for all my photo editing.
I’ve had the chance to work with some fabulous designers over the years and just over a year ago landed my “SWEET” gig as a Sugar Babe.”
I asked Nikki for her 3 favorite layouts and why:
“I made this page at the end of a very long emotional year for me. My husband Brian was gone on his 2nd deployment in 3 years and I was left home with our son Avery who was 3 at the time and I was also pregnant the entire time with our daughter. It was a long year, I had many ups and many more downs but I remember the relief I felt the day I made this page. It was almost over and I had survived!”
“I did a whole series of these “Life Lessons” pages for my son and this one is my favorite. I loved the colors in Libby’s Kit and how well they went with my photos.”
“After 3 years of scrapping boy pages, when my daughter Ella came alone I went pink crazy! This baby page of hers using Kristin’s gorgeous kit is absolutely my favorite. I love those sweet photos of my little one and all the soft sweet colors in this page.”
I also asked Nikki a few questions to find out more about her.
Do you have any other hobbies beside digi-scrapping?
I love photography and keep my Rebel XTi with me everywhere I go. I’m also a “foodie wannabe” – I love to bake and try new recipes…my hips and thighs can attest to that 🙂
How do you organize your scrap stash?
I’ve always just organized using my folders in Windows. I have a bulk “digi scrap” folder which is then broken down into Creative Teams/Designers/Kit Name etc. I also have an “elements” folder that is broken down into element types that I copy particular elements from a kit that I think I’ll use again. I’m big on purging because if I didn’t I’d have no room for new kits. Once I use something at least twice I don’t have much of a problem with letting it go. Out with the old in with the new I always say 🙂
What are the steps you go about in creating a page?
I spend the most time deciding on my papers. I love to use lots and lots of paper on my pages but I’m obsessive about how they are placed and how they coordinate with one another. I love to use big bold patterns..but I don’t want them clashing or looking too busy, so I obsess over that. Once I have my papers situated I work on photos and placement. Sometimes I will start with a kit and get the page half way done before choosing my photos…other times I will have photos in mind and get them sorted out first thing. I’m only slightly less obsessive about element placement and drop shadows and spend a lot of time with that as well. Title work is always last and it’s probably the thing I struggle most with because I want it to look creative and perfect and not like I just threw a title on there.
What’s easier and why – boy pages or girl pages?
Hmmm…I think there are more kits geared toward girls…so girls are easier in that respect, but as far as myself making the actual pages they’re both about the same. I probably scrap 50/50 between my son and daughter which is great because I can make a girly page..then go do a boyish page and never get burned out on either kind. 🙂
Blog Bonus #2!
Blog Bonus Challenge #2 for October – It’s a Cookie! Download and use this cookie template as a base to your page. Upload your page to the SSD gallery no later than October 31st and mark your Portfolio as Blog Challenge #2 worth 1 point. This challenge can be used in conjunction with a New Release for an additional point – making it work 2 points. BUT this challenge cannot be combined with any other portfolio challenge.
Here is the download link: http://www.box.net/shared/8qy5m4vd9k
Here are some inspiration from the Babes!
Here is Sheri’s page using Misty’s Stay Gold.
Here is Laurie’s layout using Jenn’s Pieces of You:
Have a fabulous Friday!!
