We recently took a little break from our Guest Design Team program to get ready for the big craft and trade show. We are picking it back up now and have a new line-up of guest designers coming up for your enjoyment! Since we opened up our Design Team we will be featuring designers from all over the world now!
Let's Welcome Anne Jo Lexander from Norway!!
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1. When did you start scrapbooking and how did you get started? I started out in the fall of 2006, having had some photos
of my daughters baptism/christening that I wanted to do something
"more" to than just put them into albums. I had heard about the word
"scrapbooking" but never really grasped the concept what that was about
- I just knew that was something Americans did to their photos - so I
"googled" it and voila...a whole new world opened up... haven't looked
back since :p
2. From where do you draw inspiration?
Hmm. I'm pretty boring, I don't feel I get
inspired by anything fancy at all...just...plain products inspire me -
I love it when papers or embellishments yells out "use me! use me!" and
makes me plunge into a frenzy to actually use them... photos inspire me
as well - whether it's a "perfect" photo, a "storytelling" photo (series)
or just some old photos from my childhood triggering fond memories with
me.
3. Describe your style for us.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that. I
have to say though - I have periods where I stick to one "style" or
"thing" I have to do all the time....then I swap cause I feel fed up
with that and kinda force myself to do something totally
different...that's what's so great about this hobby - you can do
anything you please and there's no one to tell you whether you're doing
it "right" or "wrong" or "you can't do that". Hmm. My friends claim I do
have a style they can pick up anytime. I don't know myself.
4. How do you go about designing a page?
I don't know...most actually happen by mistake (read: I'm too impatient and glue too early :p ) Usually - photos first, then papers, then embellishments....and a lot of headache in between :p
5. In general, how long does it take you to do a page?
Concentrated? I guess it takes about one-two hours. In
reality...I have my own corner where I scrap - so projects are just
lying there as I move from that desk to the PC to the kitchen to the
living-room.... usually I print out photos in the evening before going
to bed, pick a couple papers and think of a general placement... then I
go to bed and the next day I keep working with it for 2-3 minutes at a
time taking breaks all the time and by the evening I usually wrap it
up. Layouts can stay on my desk for 2-3 days at a time though, but
rarely longer than that. And I usually can't multi-task several layouts
at a time - I have to finish one before I can start on the next.
6. What is your favorite Prima product?
Hmmmmm..it's a tie between the papers and the bling!! I
totally love what IOD has brought to Prima, especially on the
paper-side...and I love the bling - crystal swirls, frames, centerpieces...just
love them :) Oh and those gorgeous flowers in the large tins...like Picasso and stuff.....dang, these were luscious (if that's even a
word??)..actually, if I may say so, your flowers and the variety of
them....I love how far you have come since "only" having "got flowers"
in those adorable milk bottles!
7. What are 3 other products that you can't live without?
Uhm..I guess...besides patterned papers... white
paint...sewing machine (when in doubt...sew it.)... and
alphas....preferably dimensional, like chipboard.
8. What is/was one of your favorite scrapbook trends/fads?
Hum.. my fave fads are curled edges (like on
the fairy angel layout), painting the edges of the photo or paper with
white paint and grabbing my sewing machine when I think stuff looks
boring.
9. Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I've
babbled enough :) Thank you so much for having me for this guest-spot!!
I'm just so delighted to even get this chance and hope I have not
disappointed too much! :p And here's my blog - http://aniia.blogspot.com
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Anne Jo has a gorgeous distressed look on most of her designs. She achieves this through paper distressing, painting, sewing, etc. This layout is no exception...just take a peek at the crackled paint frame on the photos! She emphasizes the main photo with a Say It In Crystals frame (517366), while bordering the photo collage with gorgeous Prima ribbon (519766). The Coquette papers (601997)are a perfect compliment for this extra feminine page!
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Take a peek at the distressing techniques Anne Jo showcases on her layouts! Her designs are truly a work of art.
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The Coquette papers (602024, 602017) on this layout really make a bold statement, while keeping the layout feminine! Prima flowers (Essentials 3-517281) frame the layout, while our large Coquette chipboard letters (517052) help pop the title. An IOD rub-on (516758) provides the perfect place to jot in the date!
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Vasana is the sweetest layout ever! Anne Jo uses a cluster of products to create texture and interest. First she frames the layout with Prima's polka-dot clear tape (517816), then she frames the photos with a scallop of polka-dot Coquette paper (602031). A special journaling area is created with our Super Fabulous Journaling sheet (517748). Anne Jo also adds detailed photos all tied together and adhered to an Coquette chipboard shape! (516840)
Finally, a few flowers stamps (from the Build-A-Frame stamps (517731) add the perfect finishing accents to this beautiful page!
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Thank you, Anne Jo, for designing for Prima this month! Your work is truly beautiful and we are especially pleased to feature the great country of Norway!
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Anne Jo, it is so nice to meet you. I love your work, just beautiful!!!
Posted by: Tish Treadaway | March 30, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Ania You RAWK! Sooo cool to see your Stunning work at Prima! Congrats!!
Posted by: Jeni Boisvert | March 31, 2008 at 02:27 AM
I feel sooooo proud right now!!!!
Your layouts R O C K hon'!!
Posted by: Mari | March 31, 2008 at 03:33 AM
I feel sooooo proud right now!!!!
Your layouts R O C K hon'!!
Posted by: Mari | March 31, 2008 at 03:33 AM
Ania!So good to see you here:)!!
Great pages as always and I fell in love with those Prima products all over again!
Posted by: Yuko | March 31, 2008 at 04:20 AM
Congrats sooooo much Ania!!
Posted by: Maria Therese | March 31, 2008 at 08:16 AM
For someone who just started in 2006; you are on the money! Your work is just gorgeous!
Posted by: KateB | March 31, 2008 at 09:00 AM
yay ania!!!
love you sweetie
and the los are stunning!
xoxo
Posted by: kerry lynn | March 31, 2008 at 11:45 AM
congrats soooo much ania :D you rock girl! :D
Posted by: Christine | March 31, 2008 at 12:23 PM
congrats ania. Your work is stunning
Posted by: Lisette | March 31, 2008 at 12:52 PM
okay, you've captured my brain. i love that pink layout. just gets me thinking and makes my fingers itchy to mess with stuff. :)
Posted by: Karen Bowers | March 31, 2008 at 01:00 PM
GORGEOUS WORK GIRL!!!
XOXO
Posted by: Ann(i)e | March 31, 2008 at 02:11 PM
Beautiful LO's Anne Jo!!! congrats on being guest designer!
Posted by: Lacey | March 31, 2008 at 03:29 PM
GORGEOUS!!! I love your work, Anne Jo! Totally beautiful. You rocked the Prima!! :)
Posted by: Brittany | March 31, 2008 at 05:37 PM
Stunning LO's. What a beautiful little girl too!
Posted by: Morag | March 31, 2008 at 06:19 PM
you go girl!! your work is always awesome :)
Posted by: anam | March 31, 2008 at 07:03 PM
this is my 2nd post on this layout, i love it that much. i'm finally starting to wonder what makes it hybrid. to me it is a spectacularly gorgeous traditionally scrapped page. so what is the hybrid part? :)
Posted by: Karen Bowers | March 31, 2008 at 08:08 PM
Congrats!!!!
Your pages are GORGEOUS :)
Posted by: Cathy Pascual | March 31, 2008 at 09:32 PM
wow - absolutely gorgeous ...
Posted by: Mrs Frizz | April 01, 2008 at 01:01 AM
I'm so happy to see Ania's work showcased here! She is perfect for Prima!The way she layers papers and distresses them is beautiful. Plus her photos are always breathtaking. Fabulous pages as always Ania!
Posted by: Iris | April 01, 2008 at 03:51 AM
I'm so happy to see Ania's work showcased here! She is perfect for Prima!The way she layers papers and distresses them is beautiful. Plus her photos are always breathtaking. Fabulous pages as always Ania!
Posted by: Iris | April 01, 2008 at 03:51 AM
so cool to see Ania as a GDT here, xx
Posted by: anna | April 01, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Absolutely stunning! Your pages are art!
Posted by: Casey | April 01, 2008 at 10:43 AM
Congratulations! Your work is just gorgeous!
Posted by: Michelle Gauthier | April 01, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Gorgeous pages!!! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Margie | April 01, 2008 at 02:49 PM