JULY GUEST DESIGNER- Kelly Goree!

Welcome Kelly Goree, my July Guest Designer!

I was so excited to send Kelly buttons to work with this month. Kelly has always been one of my *favorite* designers in the scrapbooking industry. I first spotted Kelly's work at Two Peas In A Bucket, and began to recognize her stunning creations for Basic Grey and many scrapbooking publications. I have always been so inspired by Kelly's scrapbooking. Her attention to detail and vibrant designs are always *pure* eye candy and when I received her projects back I was delighted to see how she put my buttons to use!

Now for the eye candy...

*I just adore how Kelly used my buttons for the center of her punched flowers. This layout is breathtaking.

A gorgeous card, so vibrant and happy! If you would like to learn how to create this card, the Fiskars website has posted a tutorial! Check it out here--- http://fiskarscrafts.com/projects/t_piecepunch.aspx

As a part of being my guest this month, Kelly was interviewed. Here is what she had to say!

1.) Tell us a little about how you got started with scrapbooking?

I started scrapbooking in early 2000 after a group of friends of mine told me I "should" and that they thought I'd really like it. I didn't believe them and couldn't see beyond making a "baby's 1st year" album, but one day found myself in Michael's scrapbooking aisle. I walked out with some Hot off the Press paper, a cheap album and some alphabet stickers...and I haven't stopped since.

2.) What led you to scrapbooking? Do you remember that *first* time you sat down to create a page? I don't remember much about creating my first page except that it was about the birth of my oldest son (the main reason I started scrapbooking) and I cut each and every picture into either a circle shape or silhouette. I was so proud of myself for my efforts, too!

3.) When you sit down to create, what are the essential items in your environment that you need to feel in the "mood" to be creative?

I generally scrap late at night with either my playlist going or the TV on. I need some kind of noise but nothing too distracting. Oh...and a diet coke. I have to have my diet coke!

4.) I feel most creative when.......my kids are sound asleep!

5.) How do you decide what you are going to journal about... and what is your favorite way to document journaling? I think it really depends on the photographs. Sometimes a photo tells its own story and very little journaling is needed beyond the date, the place, or just a little background. Sometimes the journaling "is" the page and if that's the case, I already have the story that I need just waiting to be put down on paper. I try really hard to use my handwriting for my journaling in a majority of my pages. I just feel it's such a tangible way beyond the actual words to really reach the people you're scrapbooking for or about..

6.) What did you enjoy most about working with my buttons. How were they a good fit for your project? I just adore the whimiscal nature of your buttons and how beautifully detailed they are. And after getting a batch in my hands, it surprised me that they are still quite supple so you can manipulate them with needle and thread with no fear of breaking them.

7.)Share with us your most favorite layout and why this layout is your most favorite..... Wow, that's a hard one as my favorite literally changes with each new page I create. Each one then becomes my new favorite! If forced to choose, though, I'd have to say it would be this one called "Lazy Days of SUMMER." I love the color palette in it, how it incorporates so many photos, and even includes my handwriting. But my absolute favorite touch has to be the handmade shrink plastic buttons I made that I stamped on, shrunk and adhered to my page in waves.

WOW! Look at the detail in this layout. A M A Z I N G!

Thank you so much Kelly for taking the time out of your super busy schedule to share with us your creativity!

I know I am inspired, Are you?

Leave a comment below to be eligible to receive a fun set of buttons! Please include your email address. I will randomly draw a winner by the end of the month :)

Have a wonderful, creative day friends!

Tessa Ann*