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

Sweet Shoppers, today is October 1st! Can you believe it? I can’t believe how fast 2012 has flown past, and it’s been quite a memorable year here at SSD if I do say so myself. One of our most memorable moments was the addition of some spectacular new designers to our team back in May including none other than the fabulous Nicole Seitler, better known to a lot of you as Sugarplum Paperie. As soon as we received Nicole’s application behind the scenes, we were in love with her soft and shabby style which we thought would be such a wonderful addition to the yummy goodies being produced week after week for the shoppe. Her paper focused, journal centric style which focuses on telling your stories is really special, and you’re going to get an awesome taste of it when you spend $10 in the shoppe between now and October 15th, because her gorgeous kit, Here & Now,is yours FREE when you do! So read on to get to know Nicole just a little bit better…

Just the Basics

Do you have a nickname?

Nope. When I was in the 2nd grade, there were two other Nicoles in my class. They were more popular than I was and they were both called Nikki. Ever since I’ve refused to be called Nikki out of spite. No one wanted to call me Nikki then? Well, then I guess I’m not a Nikki. LOL!

But I did have a nickname when I was a little girl, one that you all may know. My mom called me her “Little Sugarplum.” 🙂

How tall are you?

I am 5’1″ (and 3/4–almost 5’2″, but not quite). Platform sandals are my friend.

Do you wear glasses or contacts?

I had dorky glasses in high school (it was the ’90’s!) and then wore contacts in college. Now, after having kids, I can’t seem to comfortably wear them anymore! I miss being able to wear sunglasses (especially since I live in Florida!). But I do have a really cute pair of glasses now and that makes up for it.

What’s your favorite color?

Green. I can’t keep it out of my kits! It’s hard. My husband walked over to see the kit I was working on for this feature and said, “Congratulations!” I said, “What for?” He said “You almost got by without using any green!” LOL!

Where would you go for your dream vacation?

To Paris with my hubby. I’ve been there with my mom. Now I want to go there with my lover. 😀

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

SCRAPBOOKING SUPPLIES! But (don’t shoot me!) they would be paper, not digi. I am a paper girl at heart.

Besides scrapbooking, what other hobbies do you have?

I love art journaling with ink and paper! I also love to knit and quilt/sew. And I am doing Project Life this year. (I think Project Life is such a massive undertaking, it should quailify as it’s own hobby outside of scrapbooking!) 😉

Besides designing, do you have another job or occupation?

I design scrapbooking goodies for the paper world. And I also homeschool two of my four kids. Rest assured—my house is usually a complete disaster.

Do you talk to yourself?

Yes. All the time.

If you dyed your hair, what color would you dye it?

A few years ago I went pink. I miss it! It was super fun! But took a lot to maintain. I have two more kids now… I don’t have that kind of time. LOL!

Inside the Artist’s Studio

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

In 2006 I was browsing the web one night when I discovered this magical thing called “digital scrapbooking freebies.” I’m sure you’ve all been there! I caught the bug immediately! I realized I could teach myself how to be a graphic designer so I set off and started by designing blog banners in order to save up money to upgrade from PSP to Photoshop. On November 3, 2007, I opened up my own little “Sugarplum Shop.”

Is there a kit you regret making or look at now and really dislike?

Yes. There are a few and they serve as a reminder that I should always follow my heart. For YEARS I struggled to find inspiration to do themed collections, especially holiday kits. My early kits that I made for Halloween, Valentine’s Day and Thanksgiving just weren’t up to par (in my opinion). Then, in 2010, I finally pulled off a school kit I could be proud of! Then a Halloween kit! Whatever I was lacking in the muse department showed up and I discovered how I could take these themes and make them my own. I’m the most proud of my Christmas collection from last year, which was a major accomplishment for me!

So, when I find that I’m forcing something and that it’s not me, I remind myself to go back to the drawing board and continue to follow my own muse.

Is there a color you really dislike creating with and try to avoid? Why?

Royal purple. I push my purples into the red whenever I can. LOL!

When you scrap, do you prefer to use your products or those from another designer?

I do not use my own stuff. My joy in making them is a hobby all it’s own! And I think that what I like to make and what I like to use are two totally different styles. I make shabby but I prefer more eclectic kits. For example, Jenn Barrette and Krista Sahlin are my two favorite designers (and most favorite people to get to collab with, too!)

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

The complete freedom I have to make whatever inspires me and that I think people will like! Now that I have been working in the paper industry, I can see how good I’ve had it. LOL!

Food For Thought

What gets you excited about life?

Art. I love to make it. I love to look at it.

If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow this person to be your friend?

This is such a good question! I wouldn’t be my friend for long… because I like to be the kind of friend to others who’s 100% supportive and encouraging. But with myself, I am so hard! It’s something I’m trying to grow in—being nice to myself while being honest, too. There’s a balance between deceiving yourself that everything is okay and telling yourself flat-out lies that everything in life is wrong. I am consciously working to shoot for the middle.

Which activities make you lose track of time?

Reading. Scrapping. Playing games on my phone… 😀

If you had to teach something, what would you teach?

Anything crafty! I started my artistic endeavors by hosting rubber stamping “workshops” and I just loved teaching people and showing them different tips and tricks (even if the main goal of the evening was to try to sell stamps. LOL!). Sharing a love of crafting with others is a joy!

Which is worse, failing or never trying?

NEVER TRYING! Failing is actually not that scary. At least you tried it! And you probably learned a lot…

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Now that you’ve gotten to know Nicole 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, Here & Now, FREE with ANY $10 purchase made in the shoppe between now and October 15th!