The wonderfully corny insanity of FruitLoOp Sally has hit A5D this month! Sandra is our guest mixologist for August and we are thrilled to have her here! She has such a terrifically quirky style that you’re sure to fall in love with her designs if you haven’t already. Stop by and check out her shoppe and her gallery after you read on and learn more about Sandra!

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.
I am a 26 year old girl from Norway. I have been together with the love of my life since 2003, and we are still madly in love with each other. In 2006 we got our first child, Sofie, and she is what our lives soar around. I am very creative and out going. Most friends will describe me as the fun one.

How did you get into designing?
I just had to try it, really. Being a scrapper to begin with, I saw how much it gave me to create something, and I felt I had some of the skills needed, so I just jumped right in!

What program do you use to scrap/design?
Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3 and Art rage.

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?
Photography. I just ADORE it, and I bring my camera where ever I go.

What are the top 5 songs on your list right now?
Astronaut by Salem Al Fakir
Been a long day by Rosi Golan
High above by Lucy Schwartz
A little bit of sunshine by Reamonn
Buildings and mountains by The republic tigers

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of that I have reached the level I have in designing and graphic designs without any training or school.

Are you musically inclined?
Yes, I play piano and sing…but not as good as I would like to.

What is a typical day like for you?
I get up early always, and I always try to get the boring housekeeping things done first. After Sofie has gone to daycare and Stian is up and about with his things, I get on with whatever tasks I have, be it designs or other errands. The afternoons I always spend with my family. We cook dinner and always eat together. At night after Sofie has gone to bed, we either snuggle up on the sofa with a good movie or a soccer game, or I get some more designs going as I chat on yahoo and msn with Nathy, Kristen and Lizzy!

What inspires you?
Everything that surrounds me. My family, playhouse Disney, colors, magazines, you name it…I suck it all in!

What are your top 5 designs and/or layouts you’ve ever done?
Well, I will have to throw in some of both!
For designs, I am most proud of these two!

When it comes to layouts, these 3 stand out as the ones I am most proud of!

How do you start a layout?
I always start with a kit I want to use, and I always choose a paper first, but I tend to change that as I go. Then I pick and choose among all the elements, sometimes I only use stash from one kit, other times from a whole range of them. I never have a pattern for my layouts, sometimes I pick a photo in the middle of a layout, other times at the very end!

What made you want to jump from extraordinary scrapper to extraordinary designer?
The opportunity to see my own designs used by fantastic scrappers and the amazing environment there is amongst us designers!

What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a painter! Like Salvador Dali….

How long does it take you to design a kit?
Oh, it all depends. It can take me a good 24 hours, to a week..

Who are your scrapping/designing heroes?
Well, I am so blessed to have 2 of my biggest heroes as my friends also. Kristen Rice and Nathy Guens are so inspiring and wonderful, and I can not even begin to describe the love I have for these two amazing ladies! They always take the time to teach me new things and help me be the critical eye I cant be myself sometimes! And then of course, you have Jofia Devoe, Holly Griego, Catherine, Amy, and the list can go on for pages…

Do you have a specific style?
Uhm…I don’t think so.. but it tends to be filled with bright colors and fun!

Do you have a vision of what a kit will look like when you start it?
Absolutely! Normally, I have my pad and pen on my lap and I just brainstorm around the theme or colors I have in mind. So I have a very clear image of what I want to create!
Heres one of the sheets I made for a kit, scanned


What would be your dream vacation?
Oh, that would be America for sure!

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