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When
and why did you start digital scrapbooking?
I started paper scrapping about 3 years ago when
my niece was born. All of my photos were digital, so started
doing more and more components of my layouts using Photoshop
(resizing/printing photos, journaling). My husband always hated
the mess when I paper scrapped, and I was really slow at it.
Pretty soon, I realized that it would be much easier (and so much
faster) to just do the entire layout digitally. I’m a much better
digital scrapper than paper scrapper. I tend to like to go back
and make changes, and digital allows me to do that.
I didn’t realize there was an official name for
what I was doing in Photoshop until 2003, when searching the
internet I started discovering sites like CottageArts.net. After
I found all these wonderful digital papers and elements on-line, I
was completely hooked!! I haven’t really touched my paper
supplies since, except to scan in a few papers.
Is
there anything in your background that helped you?
My education and early work experience was in
Textile Design. I think this gave me a good sense of design and
color. My career evolved into the technology area of Textile
Design, using Photoshop. I fell in love with Photoshop, and never
went back to painting/traditional methods again. Later in my
career, I went to work as a Product Manager for a subsidiary of
Kodak, so I’ve been lucky enough to work with all kinds of digital
cameras, software and inkjet printing technology. All of this
just made the perfect background for Digital Scrapbooking.
Do
you use tutorials or do you just go by instinct?
I use tutorials when I see a technique that I’d
like to be able to create (like a special torn edge), or if I’m
trying to learn a new software program.
What's
the most meaningful layout you've ever created?
That’s a really tough question. I tend to be
partial towards the layouts of my daughter, and it’s impossible to
choose a favorite. I think the one’s that are most meaningful to
me, personally, are the few layouts with photos of me and my
daughter together. Since I’m usually the photographer, it’s very
rare that I get a nice picture of me with my daughter. I’m still
waiting for that great photo with the three of us. Also, a layout
I did about my grandmother is very special to me.
What
do you most hope to share with others through your scrapbooking?
Most importantly, I want to preserve all the
special moments of my daughter’s life. It is so easy to forget
all the precious little things that she does, and I don’t want to
forget those moments. I’ve also found that her grandmothers would
rather have a scrapbook than any other gift I could give them.
One Grandmother lives far away, and the scrapbook pages I send her
allow her to watch Sela grow and read all the details.
Where
do you get inspiration?
Everywhere! I love to read all the paper
scrapbooking magazines, and try to re-create the layouts
digitally. I also tend to get color inspiration from my
daughter’s clothing and toys. I love to dig through my boxes of
fabrics, too. I also love to browse on-line galleries. But most
of my inspiration is the photo itself.
What
is your favorite aspect of scrapbooking?
For me, everything starts with the photo. I
always start by selecting the photos, then I search my
libraries/CDs for the perfect paper and elements. Photography has
been my passion since I was 11 years old and got my first real
camera, and luckily my husband, Mike, shares this passion. It’s
rare that a day goes by that I don’t take at least a few
pictures. And I usually scrap new photos immediately.
Do
you prefer to do single layouts or groups (albums)?
Both. I tend to do single layouts for my
daughter, and group them into albums by year. For vacations, etc,
I tend to do groups of layouts with a theme throughout the album.
First
the picture or the layout?
Always the picture. Although, I have been known
to photograph my baby in a certain outfit to match a layout kit
that I love.
Do
you take film or digital photos or both?
For the past 5 years, I haven’t touched my film
cameras. I shoot 100% digital photos.
What
is your favorite photography tip?
Use natural lighting and turn off the flash
whenever possible! Children especially look so much better
without a flash.
What
do you most want to improve about your photography?
My biggest challenge currently is action shots,
given that my favorite subjects are all under the age of 3 (niece,
nephews, and daughter). I’m trying to improve my use of shutter
speeds to get sharper action photos.
Do
you print your layouts?
What size? What printer (if applicable)?
Yes, and I usually make several copies for the
Grandmas. I also email my layouts and post them at on-line
galleries.
I use my Epson 890 to print both 8.5x11 and 8x8
layouts. A 12x12 printer is at the top of my wishlist. 8x8 is my
current favorite size, because I love the square format and it
still fits on my current printer. But I always create them as a
12x12 image file, so I can also re-print them whenever I get that
12x12 printer!
Do
your kids scrap too?
Well, Sela’s only 15 months, but she loves to
play with my supplies. Actually, she loves to turn the pages and
look through her baby scrapbook.
How
long does it take you to make a layout?
Usually an hour or so. It depends on how long I
obsess about the fonts. Sometimes I just have to find exactly the
right one in my huge library and that takes time. If a layout
doesn’t seem to come together quickly, I usually put it away and
come back later. Most of the time I have a very specific concept
before I even start.
How
does your family feel about your digital scrapbooking?
Everyone thinks it is great, except that my
husband wishes I wasn’t on the computer quite so much. My parents
and in-laws request new layouts to add to their albums. My Mom
always says, “now I HAVE to have THAT one” about every layout she
sees. My Dad takes layouts with him to church to show off his
grandkids. He says he’s my biggest fan. Recently, I’ve been
training my Sister-in-law in Photoshop, and she is now digitally
scrapbooking too. Since I’ve been scrapbooking, my brother has
renewed his interest in photography and is now taking many more
pictures of his 2 kids! So I would have to say my family is VERY
supportive and interested in my hobby.
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With
a keen eye and talent for photography and an exceptional sense of design,
Roseanne creates layouts that captivate and inspire. She has the ability
to exemplify simply gorgeous detail to capture a mood perfectly on film,
and the skill to bring this balance of simplicity with the eclectic look
of collage with a touch of whimsy.
