Sweet Shoppe Designs – The Sweetest Digital Scrapbooking Site on the Web

Sweet Shoppers, we’re halfway through September, and that means it’s time to put another of our fabulous designers into the Featured Designer spotlight. In this week’s newsletter I hinted that she was a fan favorite and I wasn’t messing around! Kristin Cronin-Barrow, also known as KCB to most of us, has been part of our team for ages now and she has been loved by all of you since day one. Her soft, unique, absolutely gorgeous style is one that’s all her own and it’s been such a pleasure to see her develop as a designer over the years. I can’t imagine our shoppe without her and I know you guys can’t either, so I know you’re going to love getting to know her better in our interview below. As usual, there’s a special bonus for each of you who spends $10 in the shoppe between now and September 30th too – you’ll get her amazing kit Manic Monday absolutely FREE!

Just The Basics

Do you have a nickname?

I suppose I do! KCB! I never intentionally created my logo to give myself a nickname but one person started calling me KCB and it soon followed. I gotta say it is kind of neat having a nickname because I always wished I had one growing up.

If you had $100 to spend online today, what would you buy?

I would actually buy a TOOL! I have started visiting so many home improvement sites and there are tons of things I would like to make and so many require the use of this tool called a kreg-jig. It makes pocket holes so you can create table tops and fasten wood together without nail holes or a bunch of extra work. I keep going to add it in my cart but haven’t committed to buying it yet!

What’s your favorite season?

Fall/Autumn is most definitely my favourite season! I LOVE that it isn’t hot and I love just everything about it. I try to make a point to go out and do lots of pictures with the kids during fall because the colors are just so amazing! I live in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains so fall is pretty glorious over here.

Do you have any bad habits you’d like to change?

I would like to be better at not visiting social media sites as frequently as I do, I’m sure my work progress would go so much faster!

Do you have any tattoos?

I have a small tattoo on my ankle. It is a maple leaf going into a puddle of water. I got it about 8 years ago. I sort of wish I would have thought a bit harder and made the maple leaf more natural in color, one day I would like to get it fixed up some but we’ll see when that ever happens.

Where would you go for your dream vacation?

The oregon and washington coast! OR Scotland. I have no desire to go to any tropical beaches because I just don’t like the heat all that much but I would just love to go down to the coast! Scotland is my ancestory so I would love to see some of the heritage over there.

Do you play a musical instrument?

I did in high school, not sure if I would still be able to now! I played the clarinet and the alto sax.

What’s your biggest fear?

I think my biggest fear is the same as many, losing those I love and care about too soon.

What’s your favorite food?

Popcorn.. I have such a crazy addiction!

Do you talk to yourself?

I believe I sort of am right now!

Inside The Artist’s Studio

When and how did you get started as a digital designer?

I started designing products back in 2004. I found digital scrapbooking when my daughter was 3 months old. At that time there really was only one main digital scrapbook site and stores hadn’t come about yet. When the site I was a design team member decided to open up a real store I decided to jump in and see about selling designs. I first learned photoshop in 2008 while I was in college studying visual arts and then I got a job at a printing shop doing pre-press. When I was home on maternity leave   and discovered digital scrapbooking I was so excited because I had been wanting to start scrapbooking but really didn’t want the mess or cost associated with it. So it was the best of both worlds since I already  had knowledge with photoshop. Anyways I sold at a few stores and eventually found my design home at SSD in 2007. I haven’t looked back since!

What’s your favorite kit ever? Why?

Wildflower is my favourite kit! Well not sure ever as that is so many kits but for recent kits I would say it is this one. It came together so easy for me. In fact I remember that I was working on it and was close to being done but it was late so I went to go to sleep. I ended up lying in bed and being hit with so much inspiration that I got up out of bed and worked until I was finished the kit.  The kit really reflects how I want to and strive to live my life (which is very much a work in progress but I am trying).

What is your “home office” or work environment like? Describe it or share a picture.

My home office is right in the corner of my living room. I have a younger boy who isn’t in full time school yet so I do have to somewhat work around him. Thankfully I have a great husband who makes it so I am able to work when he is off, I really don’t know if I would be able to design if it wasn’t for that!. It can be a bit crazy trying to work from home while also being a SAHM.

Are you a planner who knows what you’re working on way in advance, or do you work till the last minute?

I am a little bit of both. I have so many ideas that are jumbled up in my head and on my computer. If I get an idea for a certain kit I will jot it down or make an inspiration folder for it. However, unfortunately I am also a bit of a procrastinator and a tiny bit spacey so to actually get my work done can be somewhat difficult. I keep trying to get better at finding a good balance!

What’s your favorite thing about being a digital scrapbook designer?

Working in my pyjamas! Also being able to do something different each week. I feel very blessed to be able to do this as my job and I hope to be able to for a long time to come.

Food For Thought

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

A teenager! I keep waiting for the time where I will truly feel like an adult! I just still feel like a young teenager with so much to learn about life.

Who do you think stands between you and happiness?

My own fear and self doubt.

What makes you smile?

My children are able to make me smile every day! Even when one of them is up to no good!

What is the most desirable trait another person can possess?

Honesty and sincerity.

What are you an expert at?

Procrastinating!

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Now that you’ve gotten to know Kristin a bit better, take a peek at some of her favorite products, and don’t forget you can pick up her fantastic featured designer kit, Manic Monday, FREE with ANY $10 purchase made in the shoppe between now and  September 30th!