This post is part of a series on our blog that will introduce you to the designers and team members that work behind the scenes at Plain Digital Wrapper to make it a fun-loving, digi-family. We would love to get to know you better as well, so if you aren’t already hanging out with us in the forum, please take a moment to say good morning to us, introduce yourself, and find some inspiration from our many challenges or in our gallery.

We are excited to have two amazing and talented guests joining us at Plain Digital Wrapper this month and today we will be shinning the spotlight on one of them. Aimee of Aimee Harrison Design Studios has been designing for about two and half years and was only a digital scrapbooker for about a month before trying her hand at design. She has continued on as a digital scrapbooker along with her designing though. She told PDW “I adore making layouts and also have an Art Journal that I try to work on weekly.  Well, that’s the plan anyway!”  However, she wasn’t completely new to scrapbooking when she started designing since she had been a paper scrapper since 1994.  “I love to record family history and I work on my boyfriend’s family history and scrap for them, as well.”

Be sure to stop by Aimee’s blog and Facebook page to learn even more about her. You will also want to make sure you sign up for her newsletter too so you don’t miss any of her specials, coupons or gifts.

Aimee told PDW that she wasn’t a CT member prior to designing and actually didn’t really even know what one was. “When I started designing, I knew absolutely nothing about digiscrapping.  I entered almost blindly.  But I knew it was perfect for me as I’d been designing graphics for 15 years.  I started a CT about three months after I began designing.  My team is wonderful and a few of them have been there since day one!”

Aimee said she is self-taught and she got her start in digital scrapbook design by just researching and then it developed from there.  “I had no idea what I was getting myself into.  I just love to create art and I was just incredibly intrigued about making my own kits.  I love to watch it all come together and I think my enthusiasm is reflected in my work.”

Here are few things we learned about Aimee in our interview with her:

What was your favorite childhood toy or game? I absolutely loved paper dolls.  I would design my own clothes for them.  I also loved Fisher Price little people (the old wooden ones), my fashion plates and, of course, Barbies.

What are your hobbies or pastimes? I love history, archaeology, photography, scrapbooking, cooking, writing, art journaling, cultures and I love to learn as much as I can about the world around me.

What is your weakness? Sims 3 (I can quickly become addicted to that game). I also can’t resist Pistachio Ice Cream.  I can’t have it in the house…lol.

What are your favorite colors? Aqua, blue, red, yellow, celery green…and you can tell I’m partial to those with many of my kits.

Are you ticklish? Unfortunately, I’m ticklish EVERYWHERE.  I can barely clean my own feet and it’s a never ending source of amusement for my boyfriend.

What was the hardest part about starting out as a designer? Making a name for myself.  It’s a daily struggle to be seen when the market is so saturated.

What is your all-time favorite kit that you have designed and why? My all time favorite kit is probably Vintage Spook.  Just because it came out EXACTLY as I’d envisioned and it had the exact feel I wanted.  Lately, almost every kit I make has became of a favorite.  I feel like I’ve been on a roll.  My next favorite would probably be Home for Christmas but seriously, I also love Kitschy Christmas….see?  I can’t make up my mind, lol!

What one type of element can be found in most of your kits? Frames.  I LOVE frames.  I am so traditional that way.

What’s the scene when you design? I like silence or classical music.  But mostly silence.  I also like to have the shade up so I can watch the birds feed outside the window and a place for my cats to take turns sleeping right next to my monitor.  It’s a little cluttered but I much prefer it straightened up.  Oh, and a constantly full cup of coffee

How would you describe your design style? My design style is definitely realistic and rather traditional.  I like my pages to have a 3 dimensional feel to them and I like to utilize all different kinds of elements from templates to scans.

Aimee’s first exclusive kit for Plain Digital Wrapper this month is a gorgeous icy blue-toned kit aptly named “Shades of Winter”. It includes 12 papers, 36 unique elements, 8 word strips and 1 full alpha set. You can also purchase the alpha separately. “Shades of Winter” is currently on sale for 25 percent off.

Layout by BernieTuffs.

Layout by Aimee Harrison.

Layout by mrscwoodell.

Card by BernieTuffs.

To thank you for taking the time to stop by the PDW blog,  Aimee has a beautiful quickpage made from “Shades of Winter” for you.

Download: Shades of Winter (276)

Be sure to watch Aimee’s PDW store throughout the rest of the month as she will be adding more items soon.

Filed under: Freebies, Guest Designers by Candy
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Happy New Year, everyone.  Are you ready for some “new” things?  There are changes in the air.  Where do I begin?

We have two new Guest Designers this month!  Introducing:

SKrapper Digitals has an amazing DigiDesign course for those who are looking into becoming a digital scrapbook designer.

Next up is our January Collaboration kit:

This kit will be available ONLY in January.  After that it will be retired.  If you like it, be sure to grab it. New Release price is up for the first week.

Finally we have some changes going on in the forum.  We are counting points!  Points for Challenges, Challenges for points?

There are lots of fun new things planned, so keep watching!

Filed under: Challenges, Collab Kits, General Posts and Updates, Guest Designers by Lisa
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Well Boo is saying goodbye to use as one of our guest designers.  If you have wanted to grab anything from her store, be sure to do it now before it disappears!

Filed under: General Posts and Updates, Guest Designers by Lisa
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This post is part of a series on our blog that will introduce you to the designers and team members that work behind the scenes at Plain Digital Wrapper to make it a fun-loving, digi-family. We would love to get to know you better as well, so if you aren’t already hanging out with us in the forum, please take a moment to say good morning to us, introduce yourself, and find some inspiration from our many challenges or in our gallery.

We are thrilled to have Booland Designs joining us as a guest this month at Plain Digital Wrapper and equally excited that she agreed to take a place in the spotlight so we can get to know her better. You can check out Booland Design’s Guest Store here. Be sure to also stop by her blog and while you are there, don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter too.

Boo Silva has been designing for about five years and currently calls Digital Scrapbook Studio her design home. She said that before she started digital scrapbook designing she was not a digital scrapbooker and had actually never even heard of it. She said she was more of a paper scrapper but didn’t realize that was what she was doing. “I’ve always loved making something more out of my creations. I’d write poetry then embellish the borders.”

Boo first became interested in digital scrapbook design while she was working as an Early Years Educator. “I was looking for cool crafts to do with the children in my care when I fell across Ikea Godess’ Freebie site. I couldn’t believe my luck and was hooked from the get go. I don’t like to admit it but I’m a serious hoarder and have about three external hard drives full of freebies, lol.  It was finding this that made me think I could do that.”

She said she doesn’t have much formal training other than a love for art when she was in school and a brief time studying graphic design at college. “The great thing about Digital Scrapbooking is that you don’t need a formal education in graphics, art, or even computers. You do need a ton of passion and a willingness to learn though.”

Here are few things Boo shared with us:

What one thing would you want on a deserted island and why? My Computer. I couldn’t live without being able to ‘play’ on my Photoshop and think of all the great photos I could take. Oh wait, I’d have to have a camera for that wouldn’t I? Of course, this island already has wifi and electricity doesn’t it??

What flavor of drink would you be? Earl Grey Tea. I am a tea-a-holic. Honestly, I’m NEVER without a good brew in my hand and my favorite kind is Earl Grey. It’s delicious and ever so posh.

Were you named after anyone?  Yes, I was named after St Bernadette and Maria from West Side Story. I’m not like either in real life, lol.

What is your greatest accomplishment? My children. I’m always amazed that these fantastic human beings came from me.

If you were a superhero – what would your “power” be? I’d be the Healer and have the power to heal with my touch so no one would have to suffer pain.

What is your favorite snack to scrap with? Don’t mention food, I only have to look at it and I’m bigger…. Oh alright, since you asked… Chocolate and erm chocolate is quite nice and then of course, there is always chocolate. Did I mention chocolate?

You just inherited the Witch’s Candy House from Hanzel and Gretel, what do you do now? Panic…. I’m about to become homeless….

What is your favorite part of designing? Creating and seeing what’s in my head come together in a kit. I LOVE seeing the final preview of a kit.

What was the hardest part about starting out as a designer? Having the confidence to try and accepting critique but never give up. We all have it in us to create something good.

What would you like to learn how to do in the design field? Extract. I have a million gorgeous pics of flowers but my eyesight is not so great for such fine work so I have to outsource. That’s never as satisfying as doing it yourself.

How would you describe your design style? Traditional, sometimes vintage, sometimes whimsy and sometimes I like to try outside the box and go for something completely different like doodly.

If you could only do one or other, would you rather design papers or elements? Papers, I think. I love to see how blending and color work together and papers are big enough to experiment on.

Have you taken any digital scrapbook design classes? If so, is there one you would recommend that others take and/or that were especially helpful. I’m always taking classes. I think its essential to growing as a Designer. I highly recommend Sherah aka SKrapper Digitals who runs the Digi Design Academy. She’s a great teacher and does regular webinars and video tuts to run with the classes. Amanda Rockwell has a super Design Academy with tons of great tutorials. Jessica Sprague is amazing for both digi and paper scrapping classes and she also teaches how to be organized, which is very important if you need to meet deadlines. Andrea Gold also runs some very good classes for various programs.

What advice would you give to someone who is just started designing or would like to start a design career? Don’t be afraid to try. You’ve nothing to loose and everything to gain. Take classes and follow tuts. Practice, practice, practice. Build up a following by blogging regularly and offering little freebies so people can sample your work and most importantly, get your quality right. Join forums and post comments so people get to know you and try out for Designer contests. At the very least you’ll learn a lot along the way, make new friends, get great advice and feedback and who knows, you may just win that designer spot.

Booland Designs has two gorgeous kits for you this month. The first is Vintage Berry. This collection of winter charm is sure keep you warm and busy on those long winter nights scrapping all your family favorites. The bundle includes 52 elements and 16 papers and as a bonus you also get an alpha and 8 styles.

Layout by mrscwoodell.

Booland Design’s second guest kit is “Yesterday“. This collection filled with fabulous colors and a touch of vintage shabbiness is perfect for scrapping those last days of summer and early days of autumn whether it’s the summer just gone or a generation of summers ago.

Boo shared this about the inspiration for Yesterday. “‘Yesterday, when I was young, when all the leaves were green and songs were song….’. I’ve had that song going around in my head for ages now and as I was putting this bundle together it seemed somehow to fit perfectly. Winter is nipping at the toes of Autumn and Autumn is finally letting go of her glorious coat but today, as the sun still tries to shine, as the last leaves, faded now, cling on, as a robin darts from branch to branch, I’m suddenly transported back to the last days of summer and those first days of Autumn when everything seemed to burst with color. I always feel so alive when there is an abundance of color in the air. Don’t you?”

The Bundle consists of:

• Elements – 70 Beautiful unique elements
• Papers     – 16 12×12” Papers with gorgeous textures, patterns and creases
• Glitters    – A Bonus 8 Seamless Glitter Styles and 8 Glitter Sheets
• Alpha       – Fabulous full Alpha with Upper and Lower Case Letters, Numbers and some symbols.

Layout by glitterqueen.

Yesterday can be purchased as a Super Saver Bundle, as only the kit, or as individual pieces. You can pick up the papers here and the elements here. You can also purchase the coordinating alpha and glitter styles which are included in the Super Saver Bundle separately. If you want even more beautiful things from the Yesterday kit (and some time savers), be sure to also check out the coordinating Page Sprays, as well.

In celebration of being the Spotlight Designer today, Booland Designs has a special deal for you TODAY ONLY on her Yesterday Bundle.

“As a fantastic bonus for the Featured Guest Designer Spot ,I’m throwing in my very popular Page Sprays. Not 1, not 2 but the whole bundle FREE with this purchase. That’s a saving of almost $9 in its self but hey, I’m excited to be here with you. What can I say?”

Click here to be taken to the special one-day only offer and get the entire Yesterday Bundle with the Page Sprays for only $4.97!

Don’t forget to stop by Booland Design’s blog for a coordinating freebie too! (Note that Boo is in a different time zone so if her blog post is not up yet, please check back later.)

Happy Scrapping!

Filed under: Freebies, Guest Designers by Candy
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This post is part of a series on our blog that will introduce you to the designers and team members that work behind the scenes at Plain Digital Wrapper to make it a fun-loving, digi-family. We would love to get to know you better as well, so if you aren’t already hanging out with us in the forum, please take a moment to say good morning to us, introduce yourself, and find some inspiration from our many challenges or in our gallery.

We are thrilled to have Donna Rafferty guesting with us for the month of October. Donna was a designer at Plain Digital Wrapper for three years before she retired last winter. She creates in Adobe Photoshop 3 and tells us that she hasn’t had any formal training but has always loved to paint and sew and most all crafts.  She was both a paper scrapper (and still is) and digital scrapbooker before trying her hand on the design side of digital scrapbooking. She got started in design when she entered a design contest at ScrapArtist. She said she didn’t win, but was asked to design for Digital Diva Designs. When they closed, she was asked by PDW to come on board.

Donna has created “That Spooky Night” for her guest store this month. It was no secret that one of Donna’s favorite design themes was Halloween. “When I retired from digital designing last year, [I was] asked if I would be interested in guest designing a Halloween kit. That is where “That Spooky Night” came from!” She describes “That Spooky Night” as “spooky, but not too scary. It is perfect for creating Halloween invitations or for scrapping fabulously frightening photos!”

That Spooky Night is currently on sale for 50 percent off! But hurry up and grab it because in just a day or two it will be gone.

We asked Donna to share a few things about herself.

Do you dress up for Halloween? If so, what is your costume this year? I’m going to a party this year as a she-devil.

What is your most memorable Halloween Costume (as a child or adult)? I once dressed as a witch using a “living mask” which was a thin foam mask glued to the edges of the face and then make-up applied on top. The mask would move with my facial expressions and I must say I even scared myself that year!

Do you decorate your house for Halloween? Totally!

What is your favorite Halloween candy? Baby Ruth and Butterfingers – Yum!

Would you rather have a Caramel Apple or a Popcorn Ball? Carmel Apple

Where do you get your inspiration from? Everywhere and everything! I love anything vintage or traditional holidays. Halloween and Christmas are my favorites. I also love to be outdoors and in the garden, so that also inspires me.

What one thing is essential for putting you in a creative mood? I need to make the time – I find that designing is a creative outlet, but sometimes it takes me a while to get going. Once I start, things usually flow along quickly.

What was the hardest part about starting out as a designer? Advertising and getting my name out there. These days there are SO many talented designers!

If you had to have one color in every kit, what color would it be and why? Green – it’s my favorite color!

Do you have a designated designing spot? My cozy little craft room/office. It’s painted sunny yellow and has all my craft supplies. I love it!

Here are a few layouts or talented CT created with “That Spooky Night”.

Layout by crazsquaw.

Layout by mrscwooddell.

Layout by atusia.

Layout by atusia.

Layout by demma_b13.

Layout by demmab_13.

Layout by mrscwooddell.

Layout by GlitterQueen.

Donna also made has a special treat for our blog readers.

Filed under: Freebies, General Posts and Updates, Guest Designers by Candy
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