Today´s guest blogger is a very creative and talented woman that I officially announce I am a Fan of her art! She is... Julie Ann Shahin!!!
Julie Ann is the DT Co-ordinator of the Bad Girls Elite Artists Team over at Bad Girls Kits, an authentic vintage art Kit Club with such a talented women and a fabulous owner Wendy Rago.
We decided that Julié Ann´s contribution would be an interview and here it is...
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Welcome to Creative Designs by Luisa and than you very much for being a guest blogger! Please tell us a little about yourself...
When, why and how did you start Scrapbooking?
I recently realized that I acctually scrapbooked in a way, saving birthday cards, postcards, tickets, even report cards as a gir at the age 9 in photo albums. In college, I added slips of paper with a few words in my photo albums about the photos. I took up the hobby as I know it now in 2004, after I was married. I have loved every minute since.
Are you a traditional, hybrid or digital scrapper?
All of the above!!! I started as traditional, then about a year later, I went hybrid. I almost went all digi for a bit, and now I back to traditional.
How do you describe your scrapbooking style?
The style I love the most is romantic, shabby chic style however I am not afraid to mix it up and try different styles, depending on the product, the photos, and the subject. I love using real vintage items that I've found at antique stores or flea markets, there is a new flea market that has opened in my neighborhood and actually is expanding already. I love found papers, vintage photos, vintage laces, etc.
Do you scrapbook only special events or day to day life?
I will scrapbook anything and everything. It's me and my husband, and when we're lucky enough to spend time with our youngest nephew. We get to travel, and we spend time in the summer on our boat. What is most important to me is making sure to get some type of journaling on each page, somewhere, in order to give the gift of my memories to my loved ones, special events and day to day.
What is your favorite scrapbooking supply?
It's so hard to say, it would be a split vote between Prima flowers and Art Institute glitter so pop-dots would be the third candidate that would come out a winner. I have to have dimension on my pages for interest!
Who and what inspires you?
If I need inspiration, I go to Flickr and Etsy. I love these sites. I used to go to the library and have to check out 7 books, now it's so awesome to just go to these websites, and get lots of eyecandy. Oh, and there are two new sites I've discovered too! They are http://vi.sualize.us/ and http://weheartit.com/, basically they are the same, vi.sualize.us has more features than weheartit.com so far.
A Few of My Favorite blogs:
Debrina Pratt http://whimsicalworldoffairies.blogspot.com
Vanessa Valencia http://afancifultwist.typepad.com/
Anahata Katkin http://anahata.typepad.com/
Anne Le Toux http://bullesdorees.blogspot.com
What is your creative process? Do you start creating with a photo, with your journaling, with a design in mind, a color combo, a product?
Usually I start with a prompt or a product first, kind of coming up with a design organically, then adding the photo(s), etc. The journaling is something that I remind myself requires a different portion of my brain so I make sure to switch gears and get it done. I have fun, and I always enjoy the creative process. I used to do a layout from start to finish in one sitting, however, now I'm taking longer to do a layout.
Are you a neat or messy scrapper? MESSY!
How you started with mixed media art?
Mixed media is just a label to something that I've done for years as a crafter, just a bit more focused now on being "art" rather than "crafty". I grew up with a mother who was quite crafty, so I learned how to do it all. Sewing, ceramics, painting, cross-stitch, calligraphy, miniatures, fiber arts, etc. my mother could do it all. I had decided to pursue an artistic career (interior design) so I took as many art classes as I could in high school, so that is a foundation for my mixed media arts.
What is your favorite non LO project and why? I have fun with all my projects.
Right now my favorite is my Secret Garden Inspired project, which was a home decor project. You can see it on the Bad Girls blog here: http://wendyrago.typepad.com/bad_girls/2010/03/a-garden-ive-stolen-a-garden-julie-anns-secret-garden-secrets.html
How you became a Bad Girl?
There was a Design Team call for the Bad Girls Project 52 Challenge Blog, and knowing that I regretted not applying for the last Bad Girls Design Team call, I didn't hesitate sending in my application. We had to send in about three mixed media projects, however they had to be fairly different from each other to show that we could handle various forms of mixed media.
As I said earlier, I do digital and hybrid - and when I saw this call, I had actually been doing a lot of digital scrapbooking - but had just taken a break because I felt a pull toward paper and glue!!!
As DT Leader of Project 52 what is your biggest challenge?
I was promoted to DT Leader of Project 52 shortly after joining the team, and it was so fun. I loved working with the most amazing team of designers, it was one fabulous experience. There really was not much of a challenge, as my predecessor had set certain things in place for me, and there was no drama amongst my team, so the only real challenges were the actual projects we made for the blog. I loved being on this team. Now I've been promoted to the
How much time you spend creating?
Right now, I spend half my time promoting Bad Girls Kits online and half my time creating. Recently, I'm finding that I get most creative very late at night. I used to have to finish a layout in one sitting too (maybe 2 hours), I would not leave a layout unfinished. I'm no longer that way. Now, I am willing to work on it over time. I have one project that I have been working on for 2 months, a journal of sorts.
If I am working on an art journal page, sometimes those are very quick, maybe a half-hour. Those are just for fun pages. Experiments.
Mixed media projects vary from a few hours to a few days. I just relax now and enjoy the process.
What is your major creative goal?
That is a great question (I have lots of little goals). My major creative goal right now, today, is to just be creative! Yes!!!! I love making things. "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be." -Abraham Maslow
People identify me as being ambitious but I believe you need an agenda, an ambition to be ambitious. I just want to be. I am asked to take on leadership roles, and I've turned so many down, however, I just couldn't pass up Wendy's offers here at Bad Girls Kits, where it was my dream to be on the team.
Is there something else you will like to share with us?
Thank you so much Luisa for the honor and to your readers for being interested.
I am going to be 40 years old in December, and my husband is taking me on a vacation to a 4-star resort in Playa del Secreto to celebrate so this is a big year for me. I feel blessed to be able to do what makes me happy, to be able to share it with friends who appreciate it, and to be able to support others in their art as well. It's a beautiful life. I will do it as long as I am having fun!
My blog: http://julieannshahin.blogspot.com
Bad Girls Blogs: http://wendyrago.typepad.com/bad_girls and http://wendyrago.typepad.com/project52
My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/julieannshahin (message me that you are a scrapbooker or artist)
Thanks Julie Ann for sharing with us your art and some of your creative secrets!
Here are some of Julie Ann´s creations! Enjoy them...
PAPIER MACHE DOLL - Lots of creativity in this project! Absolutely adored all the details!
HAPPIEST NO.1 BAD GIRL LAYOUT - One of my favorites! I could choose one!
ART JOURNAL - So creative and inspiring!
DIGITAL LAYOUT - Isn´t it gorgeous!
JULIE ANN NOTE: My defining moment in 2008 was to decide I was o.k. with the fact that I wouldn’t be a mother, and made the decision to be a super cool aunt!
Credits: Mushroom Lane and Custom Drop Shadows by Camila Designs
Typographic Frames Date It by Kathryn Wilson
Glitter clock by Christina Renee Designs
A Little Magic by Vera Lim
Photology Vol. 5 by Emily Powers
Fonts: Chrysler Electric and Bulky Refuse
HYBRID CAKE - So yummy!!!
SHADOW BOX - It´s just adorable! My youngest daughter Jaz want one...
VINTAGE COMIC ALBUM - So fun, colorful and vintage at the same time!
Isn´t she a real artsy girl! Told you!!!
In honor of our guest blogger we have a RAK for you! Here is what you have to do:
1) Visit Julie Ann´s blog and leave a comment on one of her post.
2) Leave a comment in this post and let us know which project you liked most from Julie Ann´s creations posted today!
3) Become a follower of my blog and/or suscribe to receive my blog updates.
Closing date: March 27, 2010
Winner will be announced on : March 28, 2010
PRIZE - INKADINKADO FLOURISHES CLEAR STAMP SET and PACK OF THERM O WEB FOAM SQUARES...
PS - before you go:
Did you know that starting March I am going to send a Monthly newsletter with ideas, tutorials, resources and a suscribers only challenge? Suscribe to receive your!!! suscribing box in the right sidebar...
Check out the sidebar for the new Blog Roll list. Links to our Guest bloggers blogs and/or sites, will be added there. This way can check their site often...
Happy Sunday...
Enjoy Life and Be Happy... and scrapbook about it!!!
Creative Diva Luisa
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