Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Maria Gurnsey

This week's Design Team Spotlight is:

Maria Gurnsey

Hi, my name is Maria Gurnsey and I’m from Colorado. I’ve lived here all my life and most recently moved to Eaton with my husband and kids. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband Mike for 6 years and we have three beautiful kids, Macy, Mattea and Miller. Yes, we are all M’s!!!!

I began scrapbooking about 9 years ago and have been hooked since. It wasn’t until we moved to Eaton and I came across the blog of a local Stampin Up demonstrator that I became hooked on stamping. I placed my very first stamp order last January and became an SU demo in February. I started my blog Scraps By M when I joined Stampin Up.

My biggest source of inspiration comes from fellow bloggers. I love doing challenges although I don't get to them as much as I would like. My style keeps changing and I love watching it evolve. I don't know what I would do without my creative hobby!!

My favorite challenge so far has been Recipe Challenge #38, and here is the card I made.

This week's Design Team Spotlight is...

Wendi Robinson

Hey everyone. My name is Wendi Robinson and I am a super scrappin addict... Love everything about this art- being creative, including photography and working with my hands, and getting them dirty. I have always loved taking pictures, and loved to display them. I started out, what is extremely basic scrapbooking, in high school, I made some albums for my littlest sister- construction paper, markers, stickers and whatever I could find. Then, I really started scrappin before my son was born, and was introduced to scrapbooking from my sister, Caroline, who started when she went away to school. My first album was of a trip my husband and I went on to New Zealand and Australia. Then really got into it, once my son was born. I had to put my scrappin on hold for a couple of years, when my daughter was born, and in a two bedroom apartment, there was no place left to use. When we got a house, I finally got my own area, and about 4 1/2 years ago, I REALLY got into scrappin and have never turned back. I love it ALL- layouts, cards, mini albums, and love to alter!!!

I married my hottie, Jeremy and have been married for over 10 years now.. WOW.. We have two beautiful and amazing kids, a boy and a girl, who are my total inspiration and what I mainly scrap. We are California natives and are calling Utah home for now.

My favorite things are: itunes/ ipod, Wild Cherry Diet Pepsi, the beach, going for walks, love shopping at Target, pedicures, going to concerts, Lost, ER and The Office, guilty pleasure shows are MTV's The Hills, and The City, and LOVE Depeche Mode.

I have really enjoyed being on the Layout DT team here with Tamara's sketches, they are amazing, and I love to see everyone's take on them. Thank you Tamara for all your creativity, and letting me be on the team. You can always find my latest creations at: http://scrappydayinparadise.blogspot.com/. My scrapbook ahh-ha moment was when I was asked to be on the American Crafts Local DT team, talk about a dream come true.

My favorite sketch to use so far, was a recent one, Layout Sketch #84, it REALLY made me think outside the box, and try something new.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Kristin Tweedale

This week's Design Team Spotlight is:

Kristin Tweedale


hihi everyone! I'm Kristin, I'm a 23 year old Jersey girl; going to school at Rutgers University--finishing up my degree in political science and women's & gender studies. I live with my boyfriend of seven years in a little apartment in Somerset, NJ. I love taking pictures; I'm a photography fiend, I have a Sony A-300 and I try to take it everywhere I go. It can be a little difficult finding pictures to scrap when you don't have kids; so this helps me to keep a good stack of photos at all times. If you'd like to know more about me, I keep a blog over at http://www.rukristin.blogspot.com and I love meeting new friends; so feel free to drop me a line over there!! Thank you so so much to Miss Tamara for spotlighting me on her wonderful blog!

Kristin's Favorite Recipe is #30, which was to use Kraft cardstock, brads and lace... here's what Kristin I made.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Kathleen Hopperstad

This week's Design Team Spotlight is:

Kathleen Hopperstad

Hi, I am Kathleen Hopperstad. I am excited to be spotlighted this week, especially because it's my birthday month! I love being on Tamara's recipe challenge team! It stretches me and challenges me each week to try things that I might not have or that are outside my comfort zone. I feel this only helps me grow as a stamper. I have been a stamper and scrapbooker for about 11 years and a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for the last 6 years. It was something I never thought I would do but it has turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life! My sister, Mary Jo, tried to get me interested in rubber stamping for awhile but I kept saying I couldn't get into it because I did way too many other crafts. Well, now papercrafts are pretty much the only kind of craft I do! Never say never.

I have been married to my husband, Doug, for 18 years and we have three children: Rebecca-15, Nicholas-10, and Sam-8. They keep me hopping and all of them enjoy stamping with me! My husband, Doug, is an engineer and he loves to do woodworking as a hobby. I guess this helps him understand my obsession a little bit. LOL! He built me a beautiful craft room a year ago. I have yet to post pictures because it's never clean enough! I keep saying I'll get it organized enough to take pictures but somehow it doesn't happen. I'm lucky enough to be a SAHS(stay-at-home-stamper) and work my Stampin' Up! business.

My favorite recipe challenge card I've made is Recipe Challenge#24. The challenge was to use 2 photos or stamped images, flowers, and stamping.

Here is her gorgeous card using the recipe.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Krista Hanna

This week's Design Team Spotlight is:

Krista Hanna

My name is Krista Hanna and I am a work at home mom who loves to scrapbook! My husband and I have a son and a daughter who are my ultimate scrapbook inspiration. During the day I provide child care for six children besides my own, and I sneak away to my craft room to scrapbook during naptime and after bedtime. I have always been crafty and I am always looking for new fun things to try. I have been scrapbooking for nearly 5 years and would describe my style as decorative. I don't follow any written rule when it comes to creating, I do what feels right and looks great! I especially like to create altered items and mini books. You can learn more about me at my blog http://www.decorativememories.blogspot.com/.

When asked what her favorite layout sketch has been since being on the Design Team, Krista chose Sketch #81 and here it is...

And here is the FABULOUS layout she made using the above sketch...

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Jessica Bree Thompson

Hello everyone, Alecia here. I will be helping Tamara out by posting the Design Team Spotlight every Wednesday while she figures out her computer issues. So excited about doing this, it will be fun!!

This week's Design Team Spotlight is:

Jessica Bree Thompson

Hi! I'm Jessica Bree Thompson. I work full-time in Market Research and live in the suburbs of Atlanta with my husband and two dogs. I am lucky to have a job that is very fulfilling and interesting. I get to travel to Europe several times a year for my work, so I have even been lucky enough to see Tamara in Europe! A great experience. I have also enjoyed crafty stuff, but really fell in love with scrapbooking. I scrap because it helps me reduce stress and be a happier me. I truly love the act of creating and that what I make has meaning. In addition to Tamara's wonderful sketches, I currently design for a great online site - www.scrapfreak.com - and for my LSS Scrap Chic Boutique. I teach online scrapbook classes, both at scrapfreak and on my blog. Traditionally, I have been more of a mini album person, and I struggled with cards. Then I discovered the secret! Starting with a sketch makes creating cards so much easier! I have had so much fun working with Tamara's sketches. My favorite card sketch is #64, simply because it is round! I love how fun this sketch was to work with.

Here is Sketch #64...
And here is the card she made using it...

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Carol Houghton

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Carol Houghton

Hi, my name is Carol Houghton and i live in the U.K. I love being on Tamara's Card Sketch DT and i am enjoying my time so much!

I have been married to Andy, my childhood sweetheart for the last 27 years and we have three fantastic grown up children and one gorgeous Granddaughter.

I have been making cards for several years, but have been much more 'addicted' since starting my blog just over a year ago! Rubber Stamping is my favourite thing to do, but i will have a try at most things and really want to get into 'Scrapping' as i have hundreds of photo's that need a good home.

I work full time as an Administrator in a Sales office, but i much prefer being at home playing with paper and stamps :)

Carol's favorite card sketch since being on the team is Sketch #64.

Here's is the sketch...

Here is Carol's card.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Sandie Vincent

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Sandie Vincent

Hi there. I'm Sandie Vincent and I am from the UK. I have been married to Rich for 12 years now and we have 3 children aged 14, 10 and 4 years.

I started scrapbooking in July 2005 after being convinced by a friend that I should have a go. At the time I was adamant not to try a new craft as I was already hooked on cardmaking. Well, I went along to a class that my friend was teaching, and was instantly addicted. I now have many albums full of wonderful memories, and I can't think of a better way to display my photos, and have a real passion for patterned papers and sketches! I also design for Memories from the Attic and My Creative Scrapbook kits.

I just love being part of the Sketches! design team, as I get to stretch my creativity that bit further by taking that sketch and making it my own. Thank you so much Tamara for asking me to be in the Designer Spotlight!

I asked Sandie to choose her favorite Sketch and Layout since being on the Sketches Design Team and she chose Sketch #73.

And here is her layout using that Sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Riley Fitzgerald

I want to apologize to Riley for missing uploading her spotlight this past Wednesday. With my computer broken, I am relying on my husbands lap top, which hasn't been home much this week. So I have chosen to spotlight her today. Thanks for your patience Riley!

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Riley Fitzgerald

Hi, my name is Riley Fitzgerald and I have really enjoyed being on the card sketch design team! I have been married to my wonderful husband for almost two years and we live in Roanoke, Virginia. I own a dance studio and I am so lucky that my job is something I love and something I have been doing since I was 3 years old. I teach a majority of the classes, but I do have three wonderful additional instructors that teach as well! When I am not stamping or dancing, you can find me (currently) reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer! I also enjoy surfing the web, hanging out with my husband, and shopping!

My journey into paper crafting started when I was in 9th grade. We had taken a school trip to Canada for spring break and I had a lot of pictures I wanted to do SOMETHING with, so my mom bought me a scrapbooking kit. Since then I have done several scrapbooks and still currently scrap events my dance studio does. My main focus for the past two years has been rubber stamping and card making. I think it's because I can whip out a card pretty fast where as scrapbooking, it takes me a lot longer!

Riley's favorite Card she has made since being on the Sketches! Design Team was using Card Sketch #60.

And here is her card using that sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Abbie Torroll

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Abbie Torroll

Hi! My name is Abbie Torroll. I am a proud Air Force wife and the mother of two boys, Landon and Gavin. I am married to my college sweetheart and we currently live in Panama City Beach, Florida. When I am not scrapping, I enjoy hanging out with my family, photography, spending time outdoors, running and Wii Mario Cart :)


I started scrapbooking when I was in Junior High. My mom went through a VERY short scrapbooking phase, and although she lost interest, I was HOOKED!! So much in the scrapbooking industry has changed since then, and thank god! I love everything about scrapbooking. I love the "me" time it creates. I love celebrating all of life's little moments that I never want to forget, and I love the feeling of creating something beautiful with my hands. I don't think a day goes by that I don't do something scrappy, whether it be scrapping a new page, printing off pics, or just thinking about a new idea for a layout!

I love designing with Tamara's sketches this week! The keep me inspired when my mojo is lacking!

I asked Abbie to choose her favorite layout she has made while being on the Design Team and she chose Layout Sketch #75.

And here is Abbie Layout she made using that sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Deborah Anton

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Deborah Anton

My name is Deborah Anton; I am a stay at home mom to outdoor loving twin boys and a wife to my military husband whom I have been married to for 7 years. When not stamping, you will find me doing something with my family, within the military, or designing jewelry privately or for a few small accounts I have. I don't know where I find the time sometimes, but I always do and love staying busy.

I have been stamping for just about 3 years and enjoy every minute I am able to create. I can say that my style is eclectic because I like to create what comes to mind, but my all time favorite style is clean and simple. I have a love, no, an obsession, for all designer/pattern papers and ribbon! I really have to stop hoarding it all and just use it all!!

I am thrilled to be part of the Sketches! Team as it continually challenges me to think outside of my comfort zone. Thank you Tamara for asking me to be in the designer spotlight!!

I asked Deborah to choose her favorite Card Sketch since being on the Sketches! Design Team and she chose Card Sketch #72.

And here are two cards she made using that Card Sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Mimi Leinbach

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Mimi Leinbach

Hi, my name is Mimi Leinbach and I am 36 years old. Yikes! I am a SAHM to 2 soccer loving boys Nick(10) and Jack(7) and when I am not scrapping I can be sure to be found at a soccer game or helping out at school. I have been married to Josh for almost 14 years. He has given me the freedom to indulge myself in this hobby and I just adore him for it.

You could say I am obsessed, completely and totally. I have been scrapping for 10+ years now and I would say my style is ever changing. I like to try every technique at least once and some a lot more. I am a chipboard fanatic and love to use it on almost every layout. I also have a passion for patterned paper, to which I just can't seem to get enough. I have been published several times in Memory Makers Magazine and Books, Scrapbooking and Cards Today, as well as Scrapbooking and Beyond magazine.

I asked Mimi to choose her favorite layout she made since being on the Sketches Design Team, and she chose her layout using Layout Sketch #65.

And here is her layout she made using that sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Stacy Morgan

Allow me to introduce myself; my name is Stacy Morgan a.k.a “Twinshappy” on SCS. I am primarily a stay at home mom of twin boys who keep me very busy. I wish I could bottle their energy for rainy days. I have a very supportive and wonderful best friend as my husband. He is the biggest supporter of my stamping. We have been friends since high school and married 9 years. I do work part time for my mother in-law who owns a Christian bookstore. My faith is one of the most important things in my life along with my family. I have been very blessed with family and a hobby that I love.

I have been stamping for 8 years and I have changed so much from my first year of stamping. I try to learn all I can by trying new things with cards and techniques. I have a lot to learn still. Thanks for having me as a Guest Spotlight!

I asked Stacy to choose her favorite Card Sketch since being on the Design Team and she chose Card Sketch #65.

And here is Stacy's card she made using that small 3 x 3 Sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Charlotte Hansen

I am excited to announce this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Charlotte Hansen

Hi,I am so excited to be on the spot light this week. Thanks Tamara for doing this - you are such a sweetheart!

My name is Charlotte Hansen. I am married to the most wonderful man on the Earth. We've been married since 2001, but have been together since 1995. We have two boys, who are 9 years old and 11 years old. We live in Denmark - the tiny country up North.... in Scandinavia. I work in a hospital nearby as a medical secretary.

I have been scrapbooking since 2003 or so. At that time scrapbooking wasn't known in Denmark. I went to different hobbystores and kept asking for acid- and linguinfree paper and embellishments - but no one knew what I was talking about. he he!! I found out about scrapbooking via the Internet. And I have been hooked ever since!Now we have severeal of scrapbooking stores in this country and that's just so great. :-) I love to document our everyday moments through my layouts.

I asked Charlotte to choose her favorite Sketch since being on the Sketches! Design Team, and she chose Layout Sketch #58.

And here is her layout she made using that sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Suzy Tyler

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Suzy Tyler

What a honor, and joy, it was to be asked by Tamara to be the Spotlight Designer duirng the month of November! For those of you who know me in real life know that I love to talk, so here we go….

I've been married to my wonderful husband, Keith, for almost 11 years, and he wholeheartedly supports my addition to rubber and ink. Though I'm sure there are times that he wishes he could find a Stamping Anonymous group. We have three fur-babies (2 dogs and a cat), and we peacefully live in Little Elm, TX, which is just north of Dallas.

I was introduced to stamping at a Stampin' Up! workshop in January 2007 by a co-worker and I didn't expect to have the reaction to it that I did. I had been surrounded by friends who are artists, but never considered myself one. Once I put a wood block in my hand and inked up the rubber I was hooked. I became a SU! demonstrator just a few short months after that (April 2007).

I share my love of stamping with a small group of friends at least once a month when we get together to craft projects, and try to create a card or something every day. I can't imagine myself without inky fingers!

I asked Suzy what her favorite Card she made from the Recipe Challenges. And she chose Recipe Challenge #21, which was to use Bling, A Punch and a non scrap related item.

Thank you Suzy for all your amazing cards over the last few months. I am very excited to have you a part of the Sketches! Team. I look forward to many more of your creations.

{tamara}

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Alexandra Hobson

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Alexandra Hobson

Hi, my name is Alexandra Hobson (Alex). I am a mom to three children: Zach -19, who is currently at the Naval Academy, Tyler - 14, a Freshman in High School, and Kayla - 11 who is in 6th grade. I currently stay home with my two youngest children; however, I recently retired from the Navy after 23 years of serving. I am married to a fabulous man named Tony who is the love of my life!

I began scrapbooking almost 14 years ago after I was invited to a Creative Memories party. I was intrigued with the idea of preserving memories and it also gave me a creative outlet which I really enjoy. About a year and a half ago, I was introduced to stamping and cardmaking, became a Stampin' UP! demonstrator, and have been hooked on stamping ever since. I have incorporated stamping into all my scrap projects as well! I have been teaching scrapbooking for over 10 years now, and stamping for over a year and now that I have the opportunity to do it full time, I am loving every second I have to create and teach others what I love.

When Tamara asked me to be a member of her sketch design team, I was thrilled! I love all of her sketches, they always provide me with fabulous inspiration! I have gotten to meet several other talented stampers and scrapbookers through her site, and will always do her sketches because they ROCK! So, thanks Tamara, I am lovin' every minute of it!

I am currently also on the Design Team for the Stamp Something crew, as well as the Coconut Scrapshop, which I absolutely love!

I asked Alexandra to choose her favorite card sketch since she has been on the Design Team. And she chose Card Sketch #44.

And here is her card using that sketch.

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Krista Baxter

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Krista Baxter

Hi Everyone my name is Krista from New Brunswick Canada and I am addicted to card making! I have been married for 18 years to the most amazing man, he is my best friend and puts up with my scrapping obsession. For as long as I can remember I have always loved crafts. I am a self proclaimed paper addict. I can't live without paper, ribbons, buttons, stamps, scissors, glue - you get the picture! I love making cards and I love giving them to friends and family, it's like giving them a little bitty piece of myself each time. Using my creativity is therapeutic for me, keeps me sane in this sometimes crazy world.

You can see more of my card creations on my blog.

I have been having so much fun on the card design team here at Sketches it is so exciting to see all the different cards made from the same sketch : )

My favorite sketch so far (this was a tough one because I love them all) is Sketch #64 (I have a thing for circles! lol)

Krista, I love your cards each week. Your talent amazes me. Thanks for all your time that you give to the Sketches! Blog. I am so glad you are apart of the Sketches! Team.

{tamara}

Sketches! Design Team Spotlight: Bethany Stouvenel

I am excited to announce that this weeks Sketches! Design Team Spotlight is:

Bethany Stouvenel

(Yes, this is a picture of Bethany and myself. I can't believe this is what she turned in when I asked her for a picture. giggles. We got to meet each other when I was in America this summer.)

Hi, my name is Bethany Stouvenel. I am a stay at home Mom to 3 kiddoes, James (13), Logan (2) and Kenzie (11 months). I am married to a wonderful & very supportive man, Trent.

I have been scrapping for a little over 3 years now and I adore this hobby! It has become such a big part of my life & I have met so many wonderful friends because of it! I love being on Tam's DT here on the Sketches blog! Her sketches are the greatest! & I feel very blessed to have this opportunity! and to have the friendship that she & I share. I enjoy working with the design team here. The talent is just amazing! & I love seeing the diversity of what each member does with the sketches each week! Such an inspiring group of talented women!

I am also on the design team for 3scrappyboys, the BEST scrappy kits out there! I am new to the DT there but am loving every minute of it! & I am loving how much scrapping I have been getting done by being on the design teams!! gives me the push (or sometimes the shove LOL) I need to get to scrappin'!

I also just want to take a quick mintue here to thank Tamara for all the greatness she does here on the blog! & just for being the amazing & wonderful friend & woman that she is {hug} lots of love to you my dear friend!!!

I asked Bethany what her favorite Layout she has done since being on the Sketches! Design Team. Currently, it is her layout using Layout Sketch #68.

Bethany, I admire you and am so grateful for our friendship that we have formed over the last 1 and 1/2 years. I am so glad we were able to finally meet one another this past summer while I was in America. I truly believe that has only helped our friendship grow stronger.

You are a very talented person and I appreciate all the time you put into the Sketches! Blog. I love seeing your layouts each week. And a extra thank you for uploading to the Sketches! Blog while my computer was down.

I Love You!

{tamara}