Country: Sunny Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Favourite colour: Yellow
Favourite food: Roast Lamb but I'm not fussy anything anyone else cooks is delicious!
Described in one word: Spirited
1. How and when did you start digital scrapbooking?
I first started out in traditional scrapping and then discovered this awesome thing called digital art in about 2010! Oh wow how my creative world expanded. With digital products being so readily available and at a fraction of the price I was instantly hooked.
2. How and when did you end up in a CT/ CT’s?
When I discovered designers I really liked I started scrapping with their product then eventually one or two noticed my pages in the galleries. Sahlin Studio was my first CT and loved hanging with the team at TLP. I then worked at Scrapbook News and Reviews Magazine on the digital team and we road tested a collab kit by PRD called 'Bloopers'. I was drawn towards Mirjam's product and loved her quirkiness so ended up joining in on her blog challenges. I've only been on about 3 main CT's (guesting at quite a few more), but I tend to stick with a small number of designers that way I can be completely focussed on the designer and their product.
3. How long have you been on my CT?
Gee I think it must be close to a year! I am designing myself now but absolutely love playing with PRD product. Its fun, vibrant and I can always find a kit perfect for what I am scrapping.
4. What software do you use? What type of camera?
I use Photoshop CS6 and Lightroom. Yep you're reading it right I also use PSE 8 the old dinosaur but I love it, it serves me well. I have an EOS Canon 1000D another dinosaur you can see I am a nostalgic gal!
5. How would you describe your style?
That’s hard to pinpoint because I guess I am a bit of a traditionalist but I love to add lots of layers of paint textures, clipping masks and doodling giving my pages a grungy quality. I tend to stack papers and cluster elements to add depth and dimension keeping them tightly grouped so that whilst there is a lot going on, the pages retain a minimal look. I enjoy traditional scrapbooking too, nothing like playing with scissors and glue occasionally…sooooo, if I love a digital page heaps, I'll try my hand at emulating it by creating a hybrid version like these below using PRD's 'I'm Not Perfect' Elements & Paper packs.
6. What is your favourite scrapbooking item, something you turn too again and again?
I can’t go past, thread, paint textures and splats, basically anything that gives my digital pages a little touch of realism and I'm all over it. I think the brush tool is my most favourite tool in PS without it I’d be at a loss… it's such a powerful tool with so many applications and is incredibly handy to add stamped elements and textures in your backgrounds creating some really cool layers and eye catching qualities, I lurve using it!
7. What is your favourite Pink Reptile product and why?
Oh, gosh there are so many, but I am a sucker for handy packs like gesso, photo clipping masks and threads so I would say Gesso It Vol 1 & 2 and Fold'Em. I also love Everyday Of the Week Elements, Papers and Alpha, such a versatile set.
8. Just for fun… tell us all about a quirky habit of yours!
Gosh, I'm not sure if it’s a habit or more an OCD thing, but I colour block my books and clothes! Yep it comes from years as a visual marketer in a large boutique department store. I also have to have all my coat hangers facing the same way.
9. Name 5 things that you can touch RIGHT NOW from where you are sitting, no cheating!
I can touch my trusted buddy iMac, that bottomless cup of piping hot coffee is only a sip away, a tub of sweet smelling Madagascan Vanilla Flower hand cream, my Gelliarts printing plate and art journal both beckoning me to play and lastly my iPhone that doesn’t stop pinging!
10. Silliest thing you have ever done…
Other people think its silly and we tend to get a few laughs from it but it works a treat and well its how we roll…my family has a code whistle! It's true we do and we use it to find each other in shopping centres or big crowds. It works a treat especially in places where we can easily get lost in the crowd. We whistle our distinctive whistle back and forth until we meet in the middle.
Sometimes my cheeky side likes to play tricks and my poor husband falls for it every time. I pretend I can’t hear his whistle and wait for his whistles to get louder & more frequent …have you ever heard a person's whistle sound frantic? Oh I'm mean but its hilarious {insert evil chuckle here}.
11. Can you give us a tip on digital scrapbooking?
I would suggest if you really want your pages to go to the next level then learning how to create realistic shadows would be a great starting point. There are plenty of informative Photoshop 'how to' resources out there but to save you some time and get you straight on track I recommend you stop by Scrapaneers http://scrapaneers.com. Check out their 'Keeping It Real' free class. You'll learn some really handy tips and tricks that will really juice up your digi projects.
Oh wow! Aren't those pages by Em fantastic?! She has such a unique style, I can usually tell her pages at a glance.
Em, I really love the way you play with paint, masks and brushes and I am not surprised that these are some of your fave tools to use while you scrap. How awesome that you will take a digital page and try to recreate it with hybrid methods. I seriously love that ... and the page came out pretty darn awesome I must say! You have me inspired to give that a try! I love that you and your family have a code whistle, that is so awesome ... and even better that you have fun with your husband by pretending not to hear his whistle call. Hee-hee! I could never be a part of your family though, I just don't have the whistle gene! Thank so much for sharing your tips and tricks, your faves and your humor with us Emma. It's been a treat to get to know you a little better!
Great interview. I can't whistle, either, but that's hilarious. Your pages are gorgeous, Emma! It was so great to learn more about you! :)
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