Member Spotlight: Mandy

Hi SC friends!  It's Lisa here today with a member spotlight, and I can't wait to share a bit more about a scrapper who's been catching my eye in the gallery lately. I love how she layers her patterned paper and embellishments - her pages have so many perfect little details. Her work also offers oodles of inspiration for breaking out your stamps and mist. I've got three of her pages to share here on the blog, but be sure to stop by her gallery to see even more - I can guarantee you'll want to add them to your favorites!

Name: Mandy Starner
User Name: MandyKay
City/State/Country: Westminster, Maryland USA
Blog: www.mandystarner.typepad.com

Supplies: Kit - Summer Camp; Stamps - Addy; Mister Huey

When did you start scrapbooking and what got you started?
I started scrapbooking in 2003 after my daughter, Reagan was born. I had always been an artistic child, I enjoyed drawing, painting, and crafting. I spent more time making my science fair displays than I did on the actual experiments. I collected stickers, hoarded pens and pencils, and I loved the smell of crayons. So, it really was no surprise that I took right to scrapbooking when my mother gave me a kit for Christmas. She too, was mesmerized by all the pretty papers and stickers they were selling on QVC. I didn't REALLY get into it though, until I discovered Creating Keepsakes magazine and the online communities sometime around 2005. It was all downhill after that.

What are your top 5 favorite products and why?
1. Stamps, they are a never ending embellishment. You can't really run out and you don't have to hoard them for the perfect layout. Studio Calico stamps are my favorite, they really are the best out there.
2. Alphabet stickers... Thickers... BasicGrey...Studio Calico... I am most attracted to the all lower case fonts.  You really can't have too many and I love to layer them.
3. Patterned paper (of course) because you can do so much with it... ink it, punch it, rip it, layer it, cut it up... the right paper can really make a layout pop.
4. Neutral cardstock. Kraft, white, vanilla and black. Those are MUST haves! I can do without the rest.
5. Punches, punches, punches. I loooooove punches. Martha Stewart makes the coolest designs. I love layering borders and adding a little punched shape here and there on my layouts.

Supplies: Kit - Back 40

What is your favorite Studio Calico product and why?
Most definitely the stamps. Studio Calico makes the best quality stamps I have used (and I have many, many stamps) and the designs are classic. I find myself reaching for them over and over again.
 
Where do you find your inspiration?
I spend a lot of time procrastinating... err... I mean reading blogs (lots and LOTS of blogs) and I browse galleries (like Stuido Calico's), Flickr, and Tumblr, Sometimes, I use a sketch to get me going.

Supplies: Kit - On The Easel; Stickers - Sassafras Mix & Mend Sweet Treats; Stamps - Noah

Tell us a bit about your design process.
I have to confess... I am the slowest scrapper. EVER. LOL! Seriously though, sometimes I start with a sketch, sometimes its the pictures, or a design concept, sometimes it a technique or just some pretty paper I want to use. I get out everything I think I might want to use, shuffle through the pile for awhile, then I start laying things out. Usually pictures come first, but sometimes I make the base of the layout before I even have the pictures printed. Then I start cutting and punching paper, layering as I go. After I lay everything out where I want it, and add every little detail (this usually takes hours), I tear it all apart, ink, sew, and glue everything back down (not always the way it was before). Then its time for a title... this my friends, is always the hardest part. I can never seem to decide on a title. I stick title after title down, moving it around, tearing it back up and trying with another font... over and over... til I think I have it just right. Every once in a while on a VERY rare occasion (are you getting how little this occurs?), I can grab a couple scraps laying on my desk and make a page in under an hour.

Tell us a bit about what else you do since we know you are creative in more ways than just scrapbooking.
I enjoy taking photos although I'm not too familiar with my camera yet. I have been teaching myself how to sew (via you tube). I make and sell coffee sleeves and zippered pouches in my etsy store around the holidays. I have made a few bib necklaces and plush toys, I love giving hand made gifts. I also enjoy painting, I have a few hanging in my home, and I have even sold a few. One day, I will learn how to knit.

Thanks, Mandy, for letting us feature you and your amazing work!

Comments

[Debbie]

great spotlight !~ love your work Mandy =)

[Cathy P.]

Another Mandy fan here! Love your work!

[Keshet]

Yay! Love Mandy's work!

[chez]

rockstar!! xoxo.

[Kimberly]

Love your creations Mandy!...and knowing you more!
xx
Loves,
K

[Lisa Dickinson]

love this little peak into Mandy! and now i am inspired..gotta go scrap! :)

[jamie long]

mandykay and all her fabulousity!

[HeatherB]

YAY Mandy!

[Mandy Starner]

Thank you ladies!!! :)

[Valerie M]

Gorgeous work, Mandy!!

[Debbi Tehrani]

Beautiful work! Congrats on being featured!

[Lexi Bridges]

hey hey MK!! You are FAB!!! Loving your style girl and your profile ;D

[Kate Blue]

I've been a fan for years....:)

[Buy Online Rx]

Then her soul starts to speak to her out of her cigarette lighter. Her soul speaks a series of upbeat clichés. Then Agnes goes into the garden and becomes even more sad, because something has changed and it’s going to be hard to go to work at her shitty job tomorrow.

[penny smith]

Mandy, you ARE one talented scrapper! I am always inspired by you work!!