Interview with Natalie E
Editor Note: today’s post has been created by Natalie May who, some time ago, interviewed Natalie Elphinstone and has been kind enough to be one of our first guest bloggers. Are you interested in being a guest blogger? Make sure you send us a message!
Where do you live?
I’m in Melbourne with my husband and two girls aged 7 and 4.
How long have you been scrapbooking and how did you start?
Like a lot of people, I started soon after the birth of my fist child. I was a stay-at-home-Mum for a while there and used the opportunity to feed my creative appetite for the first time in a long time. It was so therapeutic and so much fun that I haven’t looked back since. I guess that makes it about 6 years now.
Tell us what Design Teams you are on and other scrappy achievements!
I’m currently on the Creative Team for Studio Calico which has got to be one of the biggest achievements I could ever imagine. It’s a dream come true! Other highlights include things like becoming a Scrapbooking Memories Master, being a Jenni Bowlin Ambassador, Guest Designing for American Crafts, being regularly published and teaching at my first retreat earlier this year. It’s all one big exciting scrapping adventure for me at the moment!
Five favourite things to use on a layout?
Features you’ll find on nearly every single one of my layouts… a contrasting coloured background, machine stitching, paper layers, a splash of mist and most importantly, a good amount of journaling.
Do you have a favourite technique?
My favourite techniques change with the seasons. Right now I’m loving working with a colour combination and using it to guide my layers of papers, tags and labels underneath my photo. I’ll add some mixed media touches around the edges and made sure I leave plenty of space for the journaling.
Who are you inspired by?
There are literally 100’s of blogs I subscribe to so definitely too many to start listing. When I need inspiration I turn to 3 sources… my blog roll, my Pinterest boards and the Studio Calico gallery. There’s definitely always something new and interesting to discover.
What is your scrapbooking kryptonite (your biggest challenge)?
Recently I just invested in a dSLR, so I’m slowly challenging myself to take it off the Auto setting and figure out how to use the thing properly! But I know that having a great photo to begin with can be half the battle so I know it’ll be worth it.
What makes you happy?
The freedom that scrapbooking brings. There are no rules, there are no protocols, there are no rights and wrongs. Everyone has a different style … and it’s supposed to be that way! I scrapbook because it makes me happy to create and I get satisfaction from documenting the stories that I think are going to be important for the future. The Design teams and the publications are just perks!
Where and when do you scrap?
I’m lucky to have a dedicated room for all my scrap supplies. My husband likes to refer to this room as his study…. but we all know better than that. It’s really my scrap room! My routine is to get home from my busy day at work, unwind with the family and once the kids are in bed steal an hour or two away to play. It’s very relaxing!
Some recent layouts by Natalie! (and her Studio Calico gallery is here…)
