SSD Designing Women
We'd like introduce you to our incredible team of hand-selected designers. Each one has their own distinctive style, from classic sophistication to collage, and everything in between. Our mission is to inspire your creativity.
Click here to view the Designing Women's amazing work.
Myrna Cannon
Design Style:
Anything goes….I like elegant and simple as well as lots of embellishments and stamping.
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
Basic Grey
Most Challenging Part of Design:
Journaling. I know what I want to say, it's just hard to put it on paper.
Favorite Technique:
Right now…Flourishes, scrolls on chipboard and stamps and of course. Shimmer sprays.
Inspirational Resources:
My granddaughters Frances & Alexis.
Design Process:
I get an idea from a book or magazine, sketch out the page, and then start mixing papers and colors.
Life Outside of Scrapping:
Category Advisor for Candles. Scrapbooking is my therapy because it is totally different from what I do all day long - analytical, computers, and 'jillions' of numbers.
Kay Daniels
Design Style:
My design style is a blend of balance, flow, and layers. I try to highlight my photos with elements around them that will pull your eye back to the photo. I also can't resist adding chunky painted chipboard and flowers of all kinds! I'm addicted!
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
IWhere do I begin? If I were on a deserted island and could only bring one scrapbook line with me it would be Fancy Pants Designs. They have fantastic rub-ons, chipboard and now stamps, but sometimes, it's just all about the paper! They really inspire me with their designs. My Minds Eye and Basic Grey are close seconds.
Most Challenging Part of Design:
The whole creative process can be a challenge for me. Although once I have an idea in place, everything after that just flows. Then it is just knowing when to quit and call the page done! Inspirational Resources:
Everything! I pull inspiration from textile designs, magazine ads, DT blogs, scrapbooking magazines and more. I like watching the current trends in advertising because they often reflect what's going on in scrapbooks design trends also.
Favorite Technique:
Altering chipboard with paint and inks. It enables me to leave my own artistic touch on my layout. Just creating something new from a basic product like chipboard is a great creative process!
Design Process:
Usually I will alter and size my photos first. Then I pull design elements that I think will work with those photos. I don't always match the paper color or elements with photographs because I often convert them to B&W. When I have everything gathered I start creating the layout. I never glue anything down until the last minute when I am absolutely sure it's finished!
I am still relatively new to Arkansas. I'm slowly becoming acclimated to the Northwest area and am finding my way around. I love our "little house in the woods" and can't wait to see more of beautiful Arkansas. Presently I am a SAHM with two school age kids, a wonderfully supportive husband (He totally gets the whole scrapbooking thing!) and an insanely cute dog. When not scrapbooking I am practicing my photography, spending time with my family, and find myself a lot in the kitchen baking gluten-free treats for myself and my two GF kids.
Delaney Gates
Design Style:
Ooh, I hate to restrict myself to one category, and as cliché as it sounds, my design style totally depends on my mood! One day it may be modern, the next- shabby… I enjoy including black and white with pops of color here and there for a whimsical look…. I suppose I'd have to say I have a whimsical style.
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Most Challenging Part of the Design:
My most challenging part of design is photo placement, hands down! Other than that, I'm golden!
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
Minds Eye. No question. End of story.
Favorite Technique:
Hand-stitching is for sure my favorite technique! I have a plastic zip lock bag that is jam-packed with embroidery floss! Although, maybe I hand-stitch a lot so I can justify my cute little collection of artisan made pincushions… (Doodling does come in a super-close second though!)
Inspirational Resources:
Color is my biggest inspiration, and fashion magazines are fabulous for finding hot new color trends. (Bridal magazines are great too!) I also check out the Pantone site every now and then, as well as The Designer Garden at Two Peas in a Bucket.
Design Process:
When I have my photos in hand, I grab a combination of papers I know I'm going to cut up and mix together. I then lay my photos down and play with their placement until I'm satisfied. After that, the layout somehow unfolds from there!
My Life Outside of Scrapping:
I'm happily married to a super-handsome military guy named Jason and when I'm not surrounded by my crafty supplies, a person could always find me playing Transformers or going on walks with my four year old, Connor. I'm embracing the stay at home mama thing, although recently, I suppose my title could be changed to "work at home mama" as I've developed a small indie start-up called Paperologie. I love cozy coffee houses, fine stationery, jazz, books about marketing, graphic design, and improving one's creativity.
Annette Gean
Design Style:
My style is ever evolving. In truth, I really like simple scrapping, but I try to experiment. I am creative but not necessarily artistic. I think so many of the scrappers now are truly artists. I do think I have two styles. I have the pages I do that are really just for the scrapbook and to tell a story. Then I have the "creative outlet" pages that are not as simple and that I do as much for fun as for permanency.
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
Scenic Route and Basic Grey.
Alphabets - Doodlebug (they are almost the only alphabets that I use)
Paper - My Mind's Eye
And I love rub-ons and ribbons from any company
Most Challenging Part of the Design:
Titles - I have a hard time coming up with a title and with designing the title.
Favorite Technique:
I don't think I have a favorite. I like to experiment and try new things. I do like using ribbon in different ways. And, I like to ink or chalk almost everything on my page.
Inspiration Resources:
Well, SSD, of course. I also love Faye Morrow Bell and Elsie Flannigan's books. My newest book that I love is We Dare You book. I look on the internet too. Scenic Route Paper Company has great pages on its website and then there are a couple of specific designers on the web that I like.
Design Process:
I guess I start with the picture first then find papers and maybe a few embellishments that I like with that picture, then I just play and add as I go. I definitely know as I'm laying it out whether I like it or not before I start adhering anything. If not, I start all over. Occasionally, I will see a style I like and decide to play with that style, so I'll have a specific look in mind when I start. Other times the page just evolves.
Life Outside of Scrapping:
I grew up in Rogers, left for 25 years and came back to Bentonville 3 years ago. (I cheered for Bentonville at the big game Friday night - but yes, I did sing the RHS alma mater.) I am married and have three children - two teenage boys and a little girl. I usually spend my weekends at some sporting event and like most moms, I spend my days running them all to various activities. I am involved with Bible Study Fellowship (not the church, the Bible study) and love that. I am also on the Board for Northwest Arkansas Aquatics. I love to read and cook. I am trying to exercise though I don't like it, and my little girl and I are going to run/walk in the Chicks-n-Chili 5K this month.
Candice Jones
Design Style:
It actually depends on what mood I'm in and what I'm actually scrapping. I can be very shabby and chic, non-traditional, and very classic and trendy. Always lots of detail!
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
: I really don't have a favorite; I like pretty much anything and everything.
Most Challenging Part of Design:
Finding the perfect picture and coming up with a title for the layout is a challenge for me. I truly feel that the quotes make the page really pop.
Favorite Technique:
I love chipboard!!! I will paint it, cover it with paper, ink and distress it, and sand it! I also love to rip paper and ink everything.
Inspirational Resources:
IMostly magazines, usually for the content and technique rather than the actual layout design. I am very sentimental, so the moment that I am trying to capture is always an inspiration!
Design Process:
I normally start by picking out the pictures and then create a title for the layout. Once I have that, everything else pretty much falls into place. I always make sure to not glue anything down until I have the layout exactly the way I want it.
Life Outside Scrapping:
I have three beautiful nephews and one god-son. I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. When I'm not scrapbooking, I am watching Reality TV and spending time with my oldest nephew who lives with me. I am a huge Beyonce' fan and I have a huge addiction to shoes. I work for the world's greatest and largest retail company - Wal-Mart!
Ann McKuin
Design Style:
Most of the time I stay fairly linear - but every once in awhile, I get a little crazy and try to do some free form - and follow MK's motto: more is more!! I love bright colors and bold designs, but also collect small prints for background papers - and I like to see how many different patterned papers I can use on one page before it goes horribly wrong!
Favorite Scrapbook Companies:
It's a toss-up between Basic Grey and My Mind's Eye - with a dash of Cosmo Cricket, Daisy D's and …… Oh, what am I saying? I love them all!! For stamps, my favorite is Technique Tuesday. My most current passion is Glimmer Mist - I want them all!!
My most challenging Part of Design:
The basic layout - getting the foundation right before adding embellies, journaling and title.
Favorite Techniques:
Stamping - with inks or paints.
Inspirational Resources:
: My pictures - I have so many - starting with my Mother's baby book from 1909 - pictures that span almost 100 years, And magazines (I subscribe to CK, SS and SE), message boards, design galleries for paper companies and kit clubs, SSD classes - basically anything I can find that will show me something different and new to try.
Design Process:
First, and most important, it's the pictures. I don't always try to make the paper match the pictures, but sometimes there is that "perfect combination". I decide how many pictures I want on the layout - then start cropping and placing them on the page until I find a good balance. I like to mix up the picture sizes, and really like to crop my pics to squares (3 x 3, 4 x 4, etc.) Next, of course, the embellies - and the title and journaling
My Life Outside of Scrapping:
Is there life outside of scrapping? Well, I do have a day job, and will have to keep it to finance my scrapbooking purchases. I have a wonderful husband who seems to understand my need to scrapbook, and 3 beautiful Shih Tzu puppies that are always ready to have their pictures taken.
Sherry Rickard
Design Style:
Simple. I love to use embellishments to tie a page together, but I don't like things overdone!
Favorite Scrapbook Companies:
Arctic Frog, Autumn Leaves, KI Memories, Junkitz, Bazzill, Heidi Swapp, Making Memories…too many to list!
My most challenging Part of Design:
Narrowing down the photos to tell the story, and deciding which ones must go back into the box.
Favorite Techniques:
Inking, tearing, stitching
Inspirational Resources:
My photos, checking out new product in the store, and Becky Higgins Creative Companion 1 & 2.
Design Process:
Clean off my area, decide on photos to use, pick embellishments that might work (could be 10+), Lay it all out and start choosing what I like the best. Arrange, rearrange…rearrange…glue it down…before I change my mind!
My Life Outside of Scrapping:
I have been married to my husband, Bobby, for 17 years. We have three beautiful children, Kennedy (11), Olivia Grace (8), Parker (6), and a Yorkie named Daisy. I love spending time with my family and friends. I also love baking, traveling, camping, diving, and going to movies and plays. A big portion of my time is volunteering at my kids school and at church.
Tracy Rowan
Design Style:
My design style is a combination of fun, contemporary, distressed, aged/worn, and modern.
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
I love Basic Grey's new line, EK Success project ideas are wonderful, and My Mind's Eye.
Most Challenging Part of Design:
The most challenging part of designing for me is getting as many pictures on a layout as possible. Most of my layouts have several pictures on them.
Favorite Technique:
Tearing/ripping paper, inking, embossing, and layering.
Inspiration Resources:
Paper and chipboard are a huge inspiration for most of my layouts. I also get several ideas from several online scrapbooking galleries.
Design Process:
Most of the time I have a recent event, holiday, or occasion that I want to scrap. I try to choose paper that will enhance the colors in the pictures, so I try to pick paper based on the clothing that is worn in the pictures. If the pictures don't match the paper (and I really want to use that paper) I change the pictures to black and white or sepia.
Life Outside of Scrapping:
I am currently an Immigration Sponsorship Specialist at Tyson Foods Inc. and a Realtor for Exit Reality Premier. I graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in May 2005 with a B.S.E. in Health Science. I am a member of the Phi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. I serve as the Hostess of the chapter and I am also the chairwoman of the Sisterly Relations Committee and the Health Resource Management and Economics Platform.
Wanda Schanke
Design Style:
I would say the best word to describe my style is detailed. I love the time consuming process of cutting itsy bitsy pieces, covering chipboard - anything that takes time and adds a little extra "thing" to my layouts.
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
I love BasicGrey, Fancy Pnts Designs, Daisy D's, 7 Gypsies, Rusty Pickle, and Scenic Route.
Most Challenging Part of Design:
Journaling of any sort!
Favorite Technique:
Chipboard of any variety, ribbon, and inking everything available!
Inspirational Resources:
My best resource is my daughter Lori, with her ever-creative mind! I also enjoy paging through various magazines and love attending the classes at SSD.
Design Process:
As a rule, I pick the picture or pictures out first - something I love. From there, it's paper, ribbon, ink, whatever strikes my fancy, stacking it all up and starting from ground zero. Sometimes it is logical, sometimes it's not!
Life Outside Scrapping:
I have a very understanding husband of 15 years, 5 children, 6 beautiful grandchildren with 2 more on the way, and 3 dogs (also beautiful)! We relocated to NW Arkansas almost 2 years ago and love it here. I continue to manage a transportation company based in Minneapolis, MN, our former home. I feel blessed to have my sister and oldest daughter near me and only wish that the rest of the "kids" could be here, too. My family continues to be my rock, my inspiration and my reason for being. Every day is another step on this great journey.
Lisa Tilmon
Design Style:
I have been scrapbooking since 1998, and I absolutely adore sharing the life I live through pages and projects. My style is simple, clean, and colorful. I'm a high school math teacher turned stay-at-home mom, so I never "eye-ball" anything...that's why I must have a ruler within reach at all times.
Favorite Scrapbook Company:
II cannot tell a lie...I {heart} Scenic Route. I love patterned paper and will create with just about anything, but Scenic Route was definitely love at first sight!
Most Challenging Part of Design:
Is it enough? Too much? Just right? I never know when to stop the design process!
Favorite Technique:
I go crazy over polka dots...that really should be twisted into a technique of some sort! Although my mother would faint if she read this...she was certain I would NEVER be able to thread a bobbin correctly...my favorite technique is stitching. From hand-stitching to rub-ons or from faux stitching to machine masterpieces, I just love the look!
Inspirational Resources:
I love to browse blogs of my favorite designers. I can be easily inspired by color, design, and words. When scrapper's block sets in, I simply pull a favorite scrapbook magazine and lift an easy layout. For some reason it never turns out the same as the original design in the magazine...but it gets me scrapping again!
Design Process:
I prefer to scrap moments versus events, so my design usually starts with the journaling. After I have the theme, I sort through photos to search for the perfect fit. {And I'm totally addicted to sending my photos to Wal-Mart.com! Oh...I absolutely cannot crop without my Sonic water with lemon and extra ice. But I'm rambling...} Then I pull from my stash of scrappy supplies, sketch a design, and start creating.
Life Outside Scrapping:
My husband and I have lived in northwest Arkansas for 12 years. We have two beautiful daughters Taylor and Emma. Chuck works for Wal-Mart, and we attend First Baptist Church of Bentonville.
