I can't believe this year is almost over. December. The last month of the year. I have to honestly say that I am really looking forward to seeing this year end and the new one start. As much as I hate to see time fly, it really will be a good thing to start a new year. There will be big changes for Two Peas in the new year. Jeff and I have always had dreams and aspirations for new things we wanted to try, plans and goals to reach and places we wanted to take the company. But the new year really will bring about something new for Two Peas. We are all looking forward to it. We look forward to bringing forth a new strategy, a new foundation filled with new growth and possibilities. It will be wonderful to be able to lay down all of the things that we have wanted to do and to see them fleurish. For months, I have walked around with new ideas running through my head, and I am eager to share them with you and everyone in the industry.

Everyone here at Two Peas wishes you and yours a Happy New year, a happy holiday season and a wonderful end to 2005. We thank you for all of the support and time you have given to Two Peas in a Bucket. Thank for sharing your scrapbook pages, your endeavors and your lives. Peace.

Heidi Swapp Products
Fontwerks Stamps
Prima Flowers
Basic Grey Blitzen Holiday Collection
K & Company
Scrapworks fall collection (almost gone, limited!!)

New Autumn Leaves Collections
New K & Company Collections

When did you start scrapbooking? How were you introduced to it?

In 2001, at a little social gathering, scrapbooking came up as a topic of conversation. An acquaintance (a friend of a friend) was passing around a scrapbook for people to view. The style of scrapbooking was something I had never seen. It was creative and original and just so lovely! I inquired as to where she got her ideas and she mentioned this website called Two Peas in a Bucket.

So I started going to that website and just absorbing everything I could. I read threads on the message board, and I viewed as many layouts as I could. I did that for about six months, without every buying a supply or making a single page. Finally, once I thought I had learned enough to get started, I started making pages of my own! I think it was early 2002 (so almost four years ago) when I first created a page.

What are your sources for inspiration?

The engineer in me is very intrigued by the way things fit together. So, I am always on the look out for interesting ways of designing pages. I browse catalogs, internet ads, magazines, greeting cards, and whatever else looking for clever ways to design my pages.

Another thing that fascinates me is interesting color combinations. Really, as I go through my day, I’m always making note of color combos and the moods they evoke. For instance, right now, my downtown office building has cool Christmas decorations in the lobby that are burgundy, orange, and lime green. Very eye catching!

How do you get started on projects (layouts, etc)?

If I were to look back on all my layouts and find a common denominator among my favorites, it would have to be that my favorites all start with a good solid sketch. I’m most happy with my work, it seems, when it has been well thought out and planned before I ever start making the page itself.

What things do you like to communicate through your work? (This might be a
bit deep, I am sorry if this is too hard)

A love for life.

A love for life – through the good and the bad. I want to be grateful for it all, and I want to document it all. For it is the combination of the good and the bad, the exciting and the mundane, the silliness and the seriousness, that makes me who I am.

What have been your biggest achievements or greatest layouts or moments with
this hobby?

Of course, being a Garden Girl is a great honor! J

In addition to that, I would have to say that the biggest thrill has been being associated with Better Homes & Gardens Scrapbooks Etc. magazine. I was on the magazine’s 2005 Creative Team, and I’m now a Contributing Editor.

I absolutely love what I do with the magazine! I love writing articles. I love creating pages. I love the process of seeing each issue come together. And I love working with the other editors there. I have found my happy place in scrapbooking, so to speak. I’m forever grateful to Melissa Inman for the opportunity she gave me there.

What kind of goals do you have with your scrapbooking?

Well, I’m a very driven, very goal-oriented person by nature. So when I first started, I did what it took to get out there in this industry. I wanted to be published, I submitted a ton, I went to trade shows, etc. And all of that is well and good. Obviously, I’m sure it helped me get where I am today.

But at this point in time, the nature of my goals has shifted. My challenge now is to keep scrapbooking meaningful for me. Amidst the deadlines and assignments and all the stuff of life, I don’t want to lose why I love this hobby so much.

Scrapbooking is so much to me… It’s therapeutic. It’s creative. It’s relaxing. It’s grounding. It keeps me connected – with myself, my family, my friends, my memories, my feelings. I want to keep it real.

So, that’s my long answer to a short question.

Where do you scrap? Do you attend crops or conventions?

I’m totally a scrap-at-home gal. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever created anything at a crop.

Where does scrapbooking fit into your life? Do you scrap in the morning,
evening, late night? When do you do your greatest work?

Good question! I work full-time as an engineer. Sometimes I work pretty crazy long hours! When I am lucky, I’m able to squeeze in some scrapping in the evening. Usually, though, my scrapbooking time gets relegated to the weekends.

What does your family think of your scrapbooking?

They are very supportive…

My fiancé Brad is definitely one of my top fans. And the guy has developed quite an eye for scrapbooking over the years! When I am stumped on a page, I turn to Brad and ask him whether this patterned paper or that one would look better. Or if I am unsure of a page in the end, I ask him. And, believe me, I can tell from his reaction whether it’s a keeper or if I need to redo it. J

I also think it’s so cute and sweet how much my dad gets into following my scrapbooking stuff. He says he gets strange look sometimes when he (this rough and tough cowboy guy) goes into a bookstore and asks if they have the latest issue of Scrapbooks Etc!

Do you have a favorite product line, paper, sticker, or cardstock color?

Hmmm… I love anything with vibrant colors. So much out there to love!

What do you want the peas to know about you? This can be short bio
information----where you live, if you feel comfortable doing that. If you
work outside the home, etc etc

Gosh, I feel like I’ve been pretty long-winded already, so I’ll keep this short. J

One important thing: I’m getting married! I’ll be marrying my best friend Brad on April 29^th, 2006 – less than five months away! The wedding planning is starting to get kind of crazy… Should be a fun celebration.

One last thing… thanks to everyone for your encouragement and inspiration and friendship over the years. I am astounded at the connections I have formed through this website. Amazing stuff. So thank you, Kristina, for creating this wonderful place. J