Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the A5D blog! Each Wednesday, we will be featuring either one of our awesome designers or one of our fabulous CT so that we all can get to know them a little better! Up first is the owner of A5D and designer extraordinaire Amy Hutchinson of ah! designs. We hope you enjoy reading more about our head bartender!

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.

Teenage girl gives birth to first daughter Senior year in high school. Graduates Valedictorian. Goes to college. Meets future husband. Marries and has 1 more daughter in college. Husband legally adopts first daughter. Graduates with a 4.0 in Biology. Moves to Memphis. Ignores plans to go to grad school to remain at home with the kids. Has 1 more daughter, then a son. Discovers digital scrapbooking. Never looks back.  Too much information? LOL

How did you get into designing?

I started as a scrapper. I discovered digital scrapbooking on accident when looking for a way to share family photos online. I was immediately hooked. After a year of being a scrapper, I wanted the bigger challenge that designing would bring. I am a self-taught designer, and I love it!

What program do you use to scrap/design?

I use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?

Other than spending time with my family and scrapping, I love photography! I also love to read and go out dancing with my husband and friends. We live in a music-filled city, and we go to concerts often (I’m a rock chick!). I also like to cook, and I do a little cross-stitching when I have time. And, of course, enjoy the occasional cocktail!

What are the top 5 songs on your list right now?

This is always a tough one for me. I like so much stuff, but right now, my favorites are

• Afterlife by Avenged Sevenfold

• Missing Cleveland by Scott Weiland

• Call Me by Shinedown

• I’m Yours by Jason Mraz (don’t know why I love this one. So not me! But I do)

• Anything by Enya – especially when I’m trying to sleep

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Rejecting abortion, giving birth in high school, and goingon to graduate Valedictorian (wait, is that 3 things???)

Are you musically inclined?

Does Guitar Hero count? I do play the piano and sing in our church choir, but I wouldn’t win any awards.

What is a typical day like for you?

Luckily, my kids are old enough to get themselves ready for school in the morning, so I get to sleep in just a little. I wake up usually around 9:00, check on the shoppe and answer emails. My son wakes up a couple hours after I do (he’s a late sleeper too), so I have to take a break to get him fed and spend some time with him. The rest of the day is split between playing with him and working on any other design-related things I have going on. My oldest gets home at 2:30 from high school, and my other two girls get home from grade school around 4:30. At 5:00, I make myself get off the computer to help with homework, make dinner, and spend time with the family. After the kids are in bed, hubby and I will watch TV, or I will allow myself a little scrapping time. Weekends are completely computer-free family time.

What inspires you?

Everything. Really. I will see color combinations in absolutely everything from walking through the garden to neon lights at a concert. I now look at everything with a designer’s eye, and try to come up with new ideas from the least likely places. Of course, cocktails always inspire me and give me the names for my kits 

What are your top 5 designs and/or layouts you’ve ever done?

My favorite products are White Almond Kiss, Truly Modly Deeply, Raspberry Truffle, Caramel Mochatini, and my Scruffy Stitches. There is no way I could choose a favorite layout!

How do you start a layout?

I always start with the photo and go from there. I will say, however, that if there’s a certain kit I want to use, I look for a photo that will go with it.

What made you want to jump from extraordinary scrapper to extraordinary designer?

Well, I don’t know about the “extraordinary” part, but I had been scrapping for a year, and I wanted the extra challenge. Also, I wanted to start making my own things so that my layouts would be my very own art.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

At different times, I considered being an environmental lawyer, a doctor, and a pharmacist. When in college, I finally decided on molecular biologist. I wanted to do DNA research, but decided not to continue with my plans for grad school. I like artist much better, anyway!

How long does it take you to design a kit?

Usually between 3 and 6 days, depending on inspiration and mojo.

Who are your scrapping/designing heros?

I consider each and every designer and scrapper on the A5D team to be the absolute best, and they are all my heros. I know it sounds like I’m just saying that, but if I didn’t believe it, I would not be working with them.

Do you have a specific style?

I don’t think I do, but others say that I do. I just do what I like!

Do you have a vision of what a kit will look like when you start it?

Always. But it never turns out that way! Sometimes that’s a good thing, though.

What would be your dream vacation?

Anywhere on a beach. Sun and sand are all I need. And a cocktail, of course.

And no After 5 interview would be complete without this question…What is your favorite after hours drink?

My favorite question! It depends. My absolute favorite is a Grey Goose martini, straight up. But I don’t drink that often because it’s quite strong. My favorite froo-froo drink is a pineapple martini. My favorite dessert drink is a shot of amaretto (in a brandy glass), especially with crème brulee. My favorite red wine is a good cabernet, and my favorite white is Pinot Grigio. But my all-time favorite standby? Vodka tonic with a lime!