Spotlight on Lynn

I had the pleasure of having dinner with our March guest, Lynn Gharhary, at CHA and it was a real treat getting to know her. Not only is she talented, but she's sweet and fun and so lovely. We did a little Q&A so you can get to know her a bit better as well...
When did you start scrapbooking? My first introduction to scrapbooking was way back in 2000 by my sister. I worked a crazy demanding full time job at the time that didn’t really leave me much opportunity to play, and I think I collected supplies more than I actually scrapbooked. I completely gave it up in 2004 when my first son was born (went so far as to sell all of my supplies on ebay!), but of course the appeal of all that pretty paper brought me back and I have been a scrapping fool ever since 2008.

Where do you find your inspiration? Anywhere. Everywhere. I’m a color junkie so I’m always inspired by the colors I see whether it’s in magazines, online, or just out and about my daily life.

What's your favorite thing about this hobby? Oh there’s so much I love about this hobby. As a mom and wife I spend a lot of time taking care of others. When I scrapbook I feel like I’m taking care of myself - that creative soul that lives inside me and finds its fulfillment in playing with pretty papers. Scrapbooking is definitely creative therapy for me! And as a social worker (in a former life – hee!) I know that taking care of oneself is just as important (if not more so) than taking care of others. And of course the fact that I’m the fact that I am documenting my family’s most cherished memories at the same time – well that’s just icing on the cake!

What do you like to focus on when you scrapbook (photos, design, journaling, etc)? As I mentioned I’m a color junkie so for me it’s usually about the colors I’m using whether they are represented in the photos I’m scrapping, the products I’m using, the buttons, ribbons, or bling I add to my pages, etc. I really believe that color helps to further the message or story I trying to document and so it’s a key player for me when I design a scrapbook page.

Besides scrapbooking, what other things do you like to do in your spare time? I LOVE to garden. There is something just so fulfilling about watching something I’ve planted grow and bloom. I’m also an organizing diva and book junkie (murder mysteries are my favorite). Most recently I’ve been dabbling in photography. I am attempting to take a photo a day for 2011 (although I’ve been horrible this past month and missed quite a few days) and that has really helped me use my camera more and play with different aspects like lighting, composition, and focus.

And five fun facts about Lynn...
1. I am hopelessly addicted to Mc Donald’s Coke. There is nothing quite like a fountain soda and it has to be from Mc Donald’s.

2. Coincidentally not too long ago Mc Donald’s started following me on Twitter. Apparently they heard about my obsession as well. ;)

3. If I wasn’t so squeamish and didn’t faint at the sight of blood I think I would’ve liked to be a CSI – I love the idea of solving murder mysteries.

4. I say the word “seriously” way more than any person should ever say that word. And now both my boys use that word all the time as well. There’s nothing quite like your 4 ½ year old son staring you down after you’ve asked him to clean his room saying “seriously mom?” Seriously.

5. During our annual family vacation down in Ocean City, NJ I have to eat a slice of Mack & Manco’s pizza every single night on the boardwalk. I’ve been doing it since 2005 and don't ever plan to stop. And yes their pizza really is that good that I can eat it 7 days straight and still wish for more!

I also asked Lynn to share one of her favorite photos of herself and she sent this beautiful one of her family...

She says: "This is one of my favorite photos of my family even though it's a few years old. I just love how Darian has his arms around my husband's neck, and is laughing and not looking at the camera (so typical of his personality). I actually had this photo made into a canvas that now hangs in my bedroom because I love it so much."