Hey again Sweet Shoppers…this week we’re featuring one of our amazing Sweet Shoppe Designers…Zoe Pearn! I’ve always been a HUGE fan of Zoe’s and not only is she an amazing designer…she’s an amazing scrapper as well!

Here’s a little more about Zoe:

I started digiscrapping in 2005 and was hooked instantly! I use Photoshop CS3 for my pages and photo editing. These days, because I spend so much time designing on the computer, I tend to paper scrap to give myself some time out, although occasionally I will do a hybrid page or project. However, I do still lay out most of my pages digitally before I put scissors to paper as I still can’t get past not being able to “Ctrl Z” my way out of mistakes! LOL!I really love scrapping in any form, digital or traditional, and find it to be a rewarding hobby. Paper scrapping just gives me a different creative outlet.

I’ve been designing since late 2005. I remember hearing once that you should take notice of what you love, because that is what you should be doing for a living. Ever since I was little, I’ve loved pattern – on anything from stationery to fabric to crockery! So, when I discovered digi-scrapping, and found out that I could actually teach myself how to design, I was so excited! These days I design paper lines for My Mind’s Eye, fabric for Riley Blake, as well as my digital kits, so I’m a lucky girl!

1. What is the most challenging part of scrapping to you?

Sometimes I don’t know where to start and what should be scrapped first! Because I don’t get a lot of time, I tend to scrap sporadically so I feel like I’m forever “catching up”. But I find if I just scrap what I feel like at the time, I’ll enjoy it more, and it’s better than no pages at all! I’ll catch up one day – LOL!

2. Where do you get inspiration when you start a layout?

I love to look through scrapping mags and blogs to find new techniques and usually if I find something new to do, it will inspire me to scrap! Like yesterday, I found out how to make some really cute flowers online so I had to start making some right away. I haven’t put them on a layout yet, LOL, but I have them made and ready to go when I do my next page!

3. What do you do when you’re not online?

Spend time with my hubby and my little guy… And try and get my house organized as much as I can before the next little one comes in November!

4. If you could only use 2 elements on a layout what would they be?

My first pick would definitely be flowers… I’m a sucker for flowers both digitally and traditionally, and will use them whenever possible – even on my boy pages! Second would have to be alphabets. I’m an alpha freak, and have a section of the wall in my office dedicated to housing about a million packs of letter stickers. Well, there’s not a million, but there’s a lot… I have an obsession with them!

Here are a few of Zoe’s favorite layouts/projects…and be sure to check out Zoe’s Paper Gallery Here or this one filled with gorgeous Mini Albums and also her digital gallery right here.

This mini album is one of my favourites because it was really quick and fun to make, plus it wasn’t for a special event… it was just a story about a regular day.

This page is another favourite because it’s so whimsical, and that photo is a really special one – I just love it, and it always takes me back to my son being a precious little baby!

I also love this page because it’s so bright, I love the robots, and the look of concentration on Josh’s face as he plays with his toys.

Featured Staffer Challenge (Bonus #3) for your August 2010 Scrapper’s Portfolio

This week your challenge is a Sweet Shoppe Recipe Challenge based on this layout by Zoe:

and here’s the recipe…

* neutral background paper
* 1 small b/w photo
* 1 brush
* stitching somewhere on your page
* 1 block of journaling somewhere on your page

**please note this challenge is worth 1 point and cannot be combined with other portfolio prompts except for NR bonus point for a total of 2 points.**

and some examples by our very own Sugar Babes!

by Meg

Credits: Naturally You by Kristin Cronin-Barrow

By Jamie:

Credits: Splendid by Kristin Cronin-Barrow , Bad Sewing Machine XXI: Don’t Be A Square 3 by Traci Reed, DJB Fonts: DJB Tweenybopper by Darcy Baldwin , Bubble Pop by Penny Springmann

by Nikki

Credits: Summer Days by Zoe Pearn, My Stamp Stash No. 2 by Krystal Hartley , DJB Fonts: Scripty Goodness by Darcy Baldwin

Don’t forget to edit your Portfolio with your page for this challenge!

NOTE: These Bonus Challenges are EXTRA on top of the Posted Portfolio Challenges.  They CANNOT be combined with any other challenge and stand alone (except New Release bonus pt).  Please feel free to PM me with any questions – nikkiARNGwife.  Thanks!