Hello friends!  This is Sasha bringing you this month’s Designer Spotlight.  I am so privileged to feature here Kasia, also known as Kimla, and her beautiful work that you can find in her shop right here at A5D.  If I have to summarize her designs with one word I have to say “versatile”.  She has something for everyone, from girly and dainty to boyish and tough.  Her designs can be used for pages scraping your every day memories, or you can make formal and exquisite designs.  Her store is such eye candy and it’s so full of color and life.

I asked Kasia a few questions.  I think you’ll find them fun to read as you get to know her a little better.

Give us the Cliff’s Notes version of you.

I’m a 33 year old happy girl Born in Poland now living in the UK with my wonderful family.
Mom to one sweet little girl and wife to love of my life.  Creative soul, photographer.

How did you get into designing?

I was totally addicted scrapper first, than turn into my own place at A5D

What program do you use to scrap/design?

PS CS3

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?

Cooking, reading books, any craft activities (specially with my daughter)
and hunting for goodies in second hand stores and car boot or yard sales.

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

yellow coldplay
viva la vida coldplay
Sand in my shoes Dido
cosmic girl Jamiroquai
nothing on you B.o.B

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
my family

Are you musically inclined?
I graduated from school of music, I learned to play piano.

What is a typical day like for you?
I’m a SAHM, the day is focused around my daughter and my hubby, so this are typical household jobs, caring about my daughter,
cleaning etc.and hanging around my laptop in between.

What inspires you?
My daughter is my biggest inspiration for sure, photography, nature.

What are your top 5 designs and/or layouts you’ve ever done?
Its hard to choose, I think all my designs are like babies, I love them all with the same love,
but the most precious for me would be “Anna’s Dream”.

How do you start a layout?
The picture is always first, than the background and all the elements.

What made you want to jump from extraordinary scrapper to extraordinary designer?
Hmm….what this “extraordinary” word means????

What did you want to be when you grew up?
a teacher

How long does it take you to design a kit?
two weeks usually

Who are your scrapping/designing heros?
there are so many amazing artists right now so it’s very hard to say.

Do you have a specific style?
Propably yes… you judge hee hee
I love touchable, realistic elements and papers with delicate blending, maybe this is my style.

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

What would be your dream vacation?
South of France and Greece

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

mojito

Next, I would like to share some of Kimla’s kits to show cast her exquisite style and some layouts created by the team here at A5D.

Her newest kit, Mama’s boy, is so cute and a must have to create those boy pages.  And don’t you just love the title!

And a few layouts by the creative team:

By Jimena

By Mary

The next kit I would like to feature here is Pink Chocolate which is one of my favorite kits of all time.  I love the color scheme here.

By domad

By Samanta0505

Be sure to check more of Kimla’s designs here at A5D.  Have a wonderfull week!

Hello scrappers! I hope everyone is having a great week so far.  It’s Sasha here sharing three gorgeous layouts picked from the GSO thread this past week.  You guys really make it hard on us to pick, the thread was just full of gorgeousness.

As soon as I saw this page I knew it was going to be one of the pages this week.  Look at the creative extraction and the cool city cluster she has created.  Such a fun and completely boyish page, I love it!

Boy by Justyna

This next page completely took my breath away.  The black and white blended photo leaves you with a nostalgic feeling almost longing for the sea.  I love how she framed the photo in the boat, such a creative idea.

Summer Memories by etrala

This last page is just too cute, it makes me want to run out and play in the rain.  I love how she cropped the photos and all the fun elements she included in her design.  Such a fun page!

Rain by maaike

Congratulations, you have been entered into the final drawing for this month’s prize: a $10 GC to the After Five shoppe. I am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful layouts in the A5D gallery this coming week. Don’t forget to put your favorites in the GSO thread in our forum.

Thank you so much for filling up our gallery with your talent!

Hello dear scrappers! I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.  It’s Sasha here to bring you this week’s Gallery Standouts.  It’s so much fun looking through all the beautiful layouts, our gallery is truly a source of inspiration to me.  Here are this week’s picks:

Beauty by JanettD.  This page is so beautifully composed.  It flows perfectly together and I just love how the colors stand out against the dark background. The photo treatment is gorgeous as well.

and Journey by Lisadee. This page literally took my breath away.  I love how the photo extends out of the frame and the peaceful feeling this page leaves with you.  Perfect shadow work and layering too.

Congratulations, you have been entered into final drawing for this month’s prize: a $10 GC to the After Five shoppe. I am looking forward to seeing all the beautiful layouts in the A5D gallery this coming week. Don’t forget to put your favorites in the GSO thread in our forum.

This week’s spotlight shine brightly on Petra aka milo82! She is a super fabulous and super sweet scrapper. After you read more about her, go and drool over her gorgeous gallery.

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.
I grew up with my parents and little brother, in a small town in the netherlands We used to live in the house next to my dads garage. You could always find me there as a little girl, watching my dad work…so I know a little about fixing cars! On my 7th b-day we moved to a more child-friendly neighbour hood, where my parents still live. Now-a-days I’m 27 , a fiance and live with my sweet moroccan prince. We’ve been together for almost 8 years. I’m a softball player, a teacher at a daycare, photographer & indoor soccer player

How did you get into scrapping?
One of the moms from daycare got me addicted. She once showed us her album and I loved it. She tought me some fine trics. Most of it I learned by myself, with just trying out new things. That was at the end of 2005

What program do you use to scrap?
I used to scrap with PSP X, but ever since I tried ACDSee’s photo editor, I’m hooked! It’s very easy to use and has a lot of cool features. The only minor thing is that it can’t use plugins & presets for photos.

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?
Mmm…watch TV with my guy and just relax with a cup of hot choco

What are the top 5 songs on your list right now?
in no particular order:
- owl city — Fireflies
- edward maya & viki jigulina — stereo love
- jason derulo — what you say
- Jordin sparks — one step at a time
- timbaland ft. nelly furtado & soshy — morning after dark

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Just being & staying myself. Love & making my family proud and help anyone wherever I can!

Are you musically inclined?
Well I think I can sing… a little anyway! My primary school teacher always told my mom I had a beautiful voice and recommended me to go take singing classes, but I never wanted! Some days I really regret that

What is a typical day like for you?
When I’m off of work… wake up after I slept in a little (till 10-ish is normal now-a-days), make some tea and turn on my pc. Check email and browse my digi homes (A5D is nr.1).
Maybe scrap a bit and edit photos from shoots I had. Then it’s time for a shower and head outside… either grocery shopping, cloth shopping or any kind of shopping. Visit friends or family and go home to prepare a nice diner… after diner scrap a page or two and then relax on the couch with my sweets, before we go to bed!

What inspires you?
Lots… just simple moment,s music, colors, fabrics, nature, smiles & more…

What are your top 5 layouts you’ve ever done?

How do you start a layout?
If I’m scrapping for my CT’s I start with the kit and then search for a photo. If I’m scrapping for me, I pick a photo and find the perfect kit. But I always start with adding a paper and the photo… everything else comes after

What made you want to apply for your first CT?
Well seeing others being on CT’s I wanted to know what it would be like. I loved her designs & style and just went with it.. I was pretty nervous though to find out wether I made it… and I did!

What did you want to be when you grew up?
Different things: An animal doctor, a teacher & a sweet mommy of course!

How long does it take you to create a layout?
Depends, on wether I want it to be simple or more busy. The simple pages usually take me longer somehow, cause I want them to be perfect and clean!

Who are your scrapping/designing heros?
Scrapping: Sara (scarletsierra), her photos always stand out, love her journalling for her sweet bugga and everything is always perfect in it’s place. Jule, I think she really gives it all when creatinng a page… it’s never too much and her style is just daring! Liz ( Paislee press) I just love her simple & clean designs!
For designers and there are just too much to name!!

Do you have a specific style?
Nope, I let the kit inspire me and just see where it leads me!

Do you have a vision of what a layout will look like when you start it?
Well sometimes I’ve got it all clear in my head, but actually it always turns out different… or almost the same or completely different

What would be your dream vacation?
Well anything if it’s with my love. But if I went for places it would be: Australia, Africa, USA (the places I haven’t seen yet), Cuba & on top of my list: Indonesia (since I’m 1/4 indonesian) and for romantic places with my guy I would wanna go to: Venice & Paris

And no After 5 interview would be complete without this question…What is your favorite after hours drink?
A Strawberry daiquiri, made by my sweet auntie Carla! (Who lives in the USA, who I really miss!)

CTM Tiki aka cherryberry is in the spotlight today! Read on to learn more about her and then stop by her yummy gallery to see why she inspires us!

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.

Grew up in small towns in British Columbia, Canada. Moved to Vancouver and went to the University of B.C. to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce. Got a job in public accounting, became a Chartered Accountant eventually specializing in corporate tax. Met my husband, got engaged, moved to California, worked up until I gave birth to my first son in 2004 and have been a stay at home mom since then.

How did you get into scrapping?

Quite by accident. I read about Scrapblog in Parents Magazine and looked it up, tried it out and liked it and I guess the rest is history.

What program do you use to scrap?

CS4 (I just recently upgraded from PSE 7)

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?

I love rollerblading, volleyball, working out and ballroom dance. I also am easily addicted to video games so I try to limit my exposure.

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

I’m embarrassed to say that I don’t listen to music much anymore and when I do it is mostly Laurie Berkner or some other kids’ artist.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Passing the “UFE” (the Uniform Final Exam) to become a Chartered Accountant. It’s a 4 day, 16 hour exam that only about 60% of people pass. You get three tries - I failed the first time but passed on my second attempt.

Are you musically inclined?

Yes - I played piano for about 8 years as a kid and played clarinet in the school band. I quit piano in high school when I was in Grade 8 of the Royal Conservatory. I really wish I’d kept it up until I finished. At the time, I thought practicing interrupted my social life.

What is a typical day like for you?

Wake up, take my oldest to Kindergarten, go for a run with my youngest, pick my oldest up from school, put my youngest down for a nap, dabble on the computer for a little while, play with the kids, make dinner, give the kids a bath and put them to bed, and then SCRAP, SCRAP, SCRAP usually until midnight if there isn’t anything good on tv.

What inspires you?

In relation to scrapping, I get inspiration from a lot of things - colors, a favorite picture, a kit, certain elements …

What are your top 5 layouts you’ve ever done?

How do you start a layout?

Most of the layouts I do are for CTs so I usually look at the kit and then find a suitable picture. The picture is always the fist thing I add to my blank page, followed by elements and my background page is always last.

What made you want to apply for your first CT?

Why free kits of course! I also was curious as to whether I was good enough to make it.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a sports medicine physician at one point but decided it would be too much work to achieve. I really regret not following through with the dream because I chose a profession (accounting) that doesn’t interest me in the slightest.

How long does it take you to create a layout?

Too Long! I’m super excited if I can finish a layout in 2 hours - I would say an average layout takes me about 4 hours.

Who are your scrapping/designing heros?

Gosh - what a hard question! There are so many. As for designers, of course I love all the ones at After 5 and too many more to list. There are also so many scrappers that I admire!  I just tried writing a list but it was huge so let’s just say I find a lot of inspiration from various individuals in the gallery.

Do you have a specific style?

No - I’m all over the map. My style ranges from white space to fantasy layouts with extractions. I do tend to like centered designs though regardless of type of layout.

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

Rarely - I usually have to pull all the elements I like on to a page and play with them a bit before I get an idea for a layout

What would be your dream vacation?

Definitely Europe

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

I have a glass of wine maybe once or twice a year but in the days I used to drink, one of my favorite drinks was a Bellini.

This week’s spotlight shines bright on CTM Jule. She has a fabulous style that is fun and eclectic. Take a spin through her gallery and be inspired!

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.

I am 22 and come from germany; have the most wonderful boyfriend of the world; no children until now but 2 cats; nurse; love scrapbooking, chocolate, Walt Disney, my family & photos

How did you get into scrapping?

I always loved to work with photos and on the computer so I was looking for something I could use to create a little gift for my boyfriend. I googled for it and found a bit about digital scrapbooking.It sounded very interesting to me so I went on looking for some freebies. A few days later I was addicted! All this happened about 2 years ago.

What program do you use to scrap?

http://i34.tinypic.com/10moape.jpg

Photoshop CS3

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?

Shopping! I don’t really have to buy something but I love to walk through the shopping mall and look at all the wonderful things.

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

Wow this one is really difficult…

Sound of pulling heaven down - Blue October
Your guardian angle - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Perfect - Die Happy
Never let you down - The Verve Pipe
Balance Beam - Blue October

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

I am proud of doing nice things for other people every day in my job as a nurse. It makes you feel like you are in heaven when someone sais “Thank you! It’s great to to know you are there.”

Are you musically inclined?

no…nono…NO!

What is a typical day like for you?

When I have a day off from work I usually sleep as long as I want (or my boyfriend wakes me up), then I get up, eat something and check my mails. After this I love to scrap scrap and scrap!!! And then I go to bed…sounds strange I know lol

What inspires you?

Awesome layouts in all the great galleries, the kits I scrap with or the pictures I have.

What are your top 5 layouts you’ve ever done?

How do you start a layout?

I usually first look for a picture that could fit to the kit I want to use and then I just start…I don’t have any plan in my head…

What made you want to apply for your first CT?

I wanted to try something new and exciting and I really loved her stuff!!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was younger I always wanted to bo a veterinarian

How long does it take you to create a layout?

Normally about 1 to 2 hours…depends on how much things I do beside scrapping

Who are your scrapping/designing heros?

Wow this is hard! I think there are soooo many people I could list here but one special person who’s work I really LOVE is my dear webfriend Cherry Love you sweetie!
Do you have a specific style?

No I don’t think so…

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

nope

What would be your dream vacation?

I would love to visit America some day but I am afraid of the looooong flight. And I would love to make a cruise around the world!

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

I don’t have a sprecial favorite…it just has to taste sweet

After Five designs is turning one! Come celebrate with us all week! There is a new site look, new designers, a week-long storewide sale, fun games and challenges, and more. You won’t want to miss this birthday bash, October 12 - 17.

We will have a different sale Monday - Thursday, so be sure to check back every day for more savings. We are also offering an amazing collab kit, Time Flies, free with any $10.00 purchase! Each designer has created a “shot” that coordinates with this kit. These micro kits are just enough for a layout or two at a great price!

A5D is proud to announce that Jofia Designs has joined our amazing lineup of mixologists. Get all her products on sale during our week-long 35% storewide sale. We will also be announcing another designer this week, so stay tuned!

Until then, let’s all toast our memories!

We are so happy to have the very talented Edeline Marta with us this month as our October Guest Mixologist! She already has one terrific kit in the shoppe and we’re excited to see what else she has in store. Read below to learn more about Edeline!

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.
I’m a simple woman, friendly, stubborn, loves to learn new things but sometimes I got overwhelm and cant decide what I want to focus. Love cooking+baking, always try to please everyone to make them happy

How did you get into designing?
It was Mindy Terasawa who encourage me to design at first, and I joined LDD Design Contest last year but I didnt win.

What program do you use to scrap/design?
Adobe Photoshop CS3

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?
Photography at the moment and baking

What are the top 5 songs on your list right now?
Gravity - Sara Bareilles, Viva La Vida - Coldplay, Ayo Technology - Milow, Man In The Mirror - Michael Jackson, Baby Im Fool - Melody Gardot

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
To make my family proud on being a designer in this world

Are you musically inclined?
Hmmm not really

What is a typical day like for you?
Wake up early, checking emails, sending kids to school, attending classes, back home pick up the kids, cooking and relaxing/designing.

What inspires you?
My children

What are your top 5 designs and/or layouts you’ve ever done?
Kornhills Avenue, It’s Your Birthday, Be With You, Summer Soltice Collab with NLD and For You Collab with Armina

How do you start a layout?
I started a page by choosing the photo first

What made you want to jump from extraordinary scrapper to extraordinary designer?
I want to challenge my creativity that might hidden in me, and I’m still learning until a year designing

What did you want to be when you grew up?
The truth? I want to be a stewardess LOL

How long does it take you to design a kit?
Depends on my mood, I can design in a mini kit in 3-4 hours and the longest is 1 day

Who are your scrapping/designing heros?
Designing hero I have so many, but the top 2 are, Lorie Davison & Mindy Terasawa. Scrapping, I would have to say all my creative teams

Do you have a specific style?
Im trying to changing my style right now more to tradisional/paper style if I could

Do you have a vision of what a kit will look like when you start it?
Hmm yeah actually.. LOL but sometimes is not happening on the kit. So I have planned them but it turned up not as I’ve planned.

What would be your dream vacation?
Honeymoon to Venice cause we never get any honeymoon after I got married.

And no After 5 interview would be complete without this question…What is your favorite after hours drink?
I would have to say “Vodka Rasberry with Orange Juice”

This edition of spotlight shines the light on CT member Manuela AKA Shayenne to the digiworld. She has a truly amazing and distinct style and you’re sure to find inspiration browsing through her gallery.

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.Living in Germany real name Manuela married with my hubby Frank since 5 jears.3 WONDERFUL DD´s one pet cat Felix and 30 years old

 How did you get into scrapping?

i have sea it at a friend and would make this myself
and scrapping since 2 years

What program do you use to scrap?

Photoshop Cs3

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?

at first of course the scrapping
and at second cooking and riding i´m a big horse fan

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

Harry Gregson Williams - Operation Dinner Out
Archive - Again
Mando Diao-Dance with somebody
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole -Over The Rainbow
Staci Frenes- What I Won’t Leave Without

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

sure my 3 wunderful dds and my whole life !

Are you musically inclined?

LOL NO NO NO not a lit bit !

What is a typical day like for you?

Morning-Play time with the jungest and make Provisions
Afternoon-Cooking and Homework with the bigger kids go to playground or in summer to open air swimming pool and so on
Evening-Freetime for mummy meens mostly scraptime

What inspires you?

my childs inspire me every day new and the nature
i´m a big nature fan
and in the digi world there are some Artist there are inspire m always some like Kristen-kathitownz-my3hens-she_

What are your top 5 layouts you’ve ever done?

awwww thats difficuld ok let me think a mintue about
hmmmmmmm ok i think this five made it
my newest

How do you start a layout?

This change from time to time
sometimes the Picture is the first sometimes the elements and the papers
mostly i take a look on my kit with i will worke and make a think about all and then lett the creativity flow and mostly it comes from alone !

What made you want to apply for your first CT?

Of course i loved the designer and at second i was Curiously about how it all worked!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

as a Physician aid then a Call center Agent and since 9 years a Housewomen !

How long does it take you to create a layout?

OH thats realy different!
Sometimes it takes 10 minutes if its a super kit i can work good with it and i have ideas in the head (mostly i have the stuff a paire of days on my pc and think about ) on the otherside it takes hours for me to create a page i always sit down in the day for a couple of minutes and make one two steps then go in the kittchen perhaps and cook lol

Who are your scrapping/designing heros?

Of course all Designer here at A5D
and all my CT chefs and my absolut number one since the first day is Jofia and Kristen

Do you have a specific style?

no not specific mostly my pages are central with extraktions and layering but i can also the white space (i love most) and the aktion page

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

Yes mostly i sea a kit and have fast a Picture in my Mind how it could be !

What would be your dream vacation?

Netherland i was there last summer and felt in love with this Land
but only a special part there named Zeeland

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

i love Caipirinha and Long Island Iced Tea

The spotlight is back and shining bright on CTM Sara Gleason aka scarletsierra. You know her layouts and if you’re like me you drool and marvel and sigh over them day after day, page after page. She is completely amazing and an absolute sweetheart to boot! What more could we ask for in a CT member?

Give us the Cliff Notes version of you.

married to my prince.mom.scrapbooker.nature lover.gardener.lover of learning….blessed.

How did you get into scrapping?

I was a paper scrapper for a long time–though never a very good one, so mostly I just have a closet full of paper scrapping supplies and some pretty boring albums/pages to show for it–before I finally delved into digi scrapping in May 2008. I was smitten from the start and it was as though digi was just the thing I needed to help my creativity really blossom.

What program do you use to scrap?

I’m a PS girl. I *just* upgraded to CS4, before that I was using CS3.

What is your favorite NSBR thing to do?

Soaking up time with my family. I also really love butterfly gardening and practicing my photography.

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

I love a little bit of everything. here are the Top 5 most played on my iTunes:
Fix You by Coldplay
9 Crimes by Damien Rice
Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
Reasons To Love You by Meiko
Fisherman’s Blues by The Waterboys

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Motherhood. It has been both the most challenging and rewarding thing I’ve ever done. And the most important.

Are you musically inclined?

Meh. I can sing and was in choir throughout my school years, and I played piano and cello for a few years, but I would say I’m “inclined” in more of the harmonizing/chorus girl vs. a soloist kind of way. LOL!

What is a typical day like for you?

Lots of activities with my preschooler..reading, art time, running around the yard, snuggling. Cleaning the house some. Laundry (there’s allllways laundry.). And as much scrapping time as I can squeeze into my free spots in the day.

What inspires you?

My daughter is my ultimate muse. But I find a lot of inspiration in the simple moments and in nature, music, color, beautiful art.

What are your top 5 layouts you’ve ever done?

Oooh…that’s definitely an evolving answer. But right now I’d say these are among my faves:

How do you start a layout?

Sometimes I start with a photo and design in mind, but many times I start with a kit and build from there.

What made you want to apply for your first CT?

I really liked the designer’s work and her store.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Oh I went through all sorts of phases..I wanted to be a marine biologist, an attorney, an archaeologist, a teacher.

How long does it take you to create a layout?

I’m a bit of a slowpoke. I can count on one hand the number of times a layout took me less than 2 hours to create. Usually I spend about 2.5-4hrs working on a page.

Who are your scrapping/designing heroes?

This is one of those questions I hate answering because truly there are so many designers and scrappers who I admire and who inspire me. Among my designing heroes are Creashens, Holly Designs, Kate Hadfield, and of course all the amazing A5D designers. There is such a beautiful range of designs here and each designer seems to inspire me in fresh ways. I have so many scrapping inspirations. Sarah (my3hens) has such a seamless and unique creativity that I admire so much. Every page is a dream. And Kristen (our own kristenrice/K Studio) has always been an inspiration of mine. Her pages are flawlessly composed and rich in layers and I love every last one. I seriously could ramble on about scrappers whose pages I admire. There are so very many.

Do you have a specific style?

Hmmm..I used to think I didn’t have a style, but I think one has emerged in my pages without my even realizing it. I guess I’d describe my pages as photo centric designs with lots of little details.

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

Rarely. LOL. I often *think* I do, but in the process of creating my pages I never end up where I think I’m going.

What would be your dream vacation?

Oooh a trip to New Zealand.

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

I’m not really a drinker, but once in a blue moon I enjoy a nice glass of Merlot.