Paper Talk with Lisa from Florida, US

Lisa from Florida started paper crafting because of her love for paper and scissors. She thinks the best thing about paper crafting is that there are so many avenues you can take with it. Lisa also finds scrapbooking extremely therapeutic after having long shifts working as a nurse.

Who are you? Can you tell us about yourself? 
Hi. My name is Lisa Gregory and I am a Registered Nurse at a local hospital by profession, who moonlights as a Scrapbook Artist!  I am married to my high school sweetheart, and we have 2 grown children and 3 grandchildren. I live on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida in the United States. I have been a crafter my whole life, who started scrapbooking seriously in 2005. I have since been on numerous international Design Teams for manufacturers around the world. I am currently on the Design Team for a wonderful Company called 49 and Market based in the United States. 

When did you start with paper crafting? 
It started when I was helping my son and girlfriend (who is now my daughter in law)with their senior project, as they chose to do a scrapbook of their lives. I took them to all of the craft stores, and we went shopping up and down the scrapbook isles, and I became hooked. I applied to a Design Team for a kit club, and that is where my journey into the international world of scrapbooking began. 

READ ALSO: WHIMSICAL STYLE

Why did you start with paper crafting? 
I started paper crafting because of my love of paper and scissors. I think I have always had an addiction to paper. I remember being in grade school, and grabbing the piles of paper out of the teacher’s trash can as they were misprints or extras. That 8.5×11 paper was always useful to me!! Today you would call it recycling! At one time in my teenage years, my dad was the Personnel Director  for a paper manufacturing company. He would bring me home piles of paper sometimes. I still have some to this day. And that was over 30 years ago!! 

What is the best thing about paper crafting? 
I think the best thing about paper crafting is that there are so many avenues you can take with it. Cutting, scoring, folding, painting, inking, die cutting, shaping/sculpting.. There is so much you can do with paper! I find that scrapbooking is extremely therapeutic for me. After a long 12-hour shift at the hospital, I love to come home and spend time in my studio just scrapbooking.

Have you made any mistakes when paper crafting and would you like to tell about it?  
I don’t believe there is anything such thing as mistakes in scrapbooking. Maybe just happy accidents. Occasionally I may be unhappy with a composition, but then I just tear it apart, and rearrange. Other times, I may not mean to do something a certain way, but love the way the alternative came out! Happy Accidents!! 

Can you show us your favorite projects?

Why are these your favorites?
I think these are my favorites because they show my true style. The ones I chose as my favorites, have the colors that I love, and the composition/design I wanted to achieve. They have a fine balance that is pleasing to my eye. 

What inspires you? 
Inspiration can come from anywhere or anything for me. I do love nature. I love the forest. You will almost always find flowers, leaves and butterflies on my projects. I will pour over Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr for a creative kickstart. And most of the subjects in my layouts I use are my grandchildren. They can sweeten any layout! My backyard is always good for a great photoshoot! 

Is there anything in paper crafting you would like to learn? 
It’s funny that you ask…I want to learn paper making. I mean actually making paper! With paper pulp. I have purchased all of the equipment to create handmade paper, and have been saving all of my white scraps of paper in a box.  Now I just have to find the time! 

Can you mention five products/tools you cannot live without? 
I have many of the tool’s crafters need to create projects. Of course there are the essentials that we all have, paper, adhesives and a good pair of scissors, BUT…The 5 top tools/products I can’t live without are:

1.)  My die cutting machines. I have both manual and electronic, but I love my Vagabond to use with my dies and embossing folders. 

2.)  My Epson Ecotank Printer. From printing photos, to scanning and copying, to printing up digital elements. I can not live with out this printer. I love that I don’t have to purchase cartridges anymore!!  The refill ink bottles last over 2 years for me. And I print a lot!!!

3.) My Westcott Trim Air Wood Guillotine Paper Trimmer…It slices paper perfectly to a hairline. And I like that it cuts through chipboard like butter! The blade is still sharp after 10 years!  4.) Flowers!!! All shaped sizes and colors. Almost every single project I do has flowers on it. 49 and Market has always had my favorite flowers. Hand made by the beautiful artisans in India. 

5.) My sewing machines. I own 7!! But I only use 1 exclusively for paper. You will find many of my projects have some machine sewing on it. I have been sewing since my grandmother, who was a seamstress, taught me when I was a child of 5 or 6 years old. It is only fitting that I sew on paper!! 

READ ALSO: 3D PAPER PROJECTS – WHERE DO I START?

What is on top of your wish list right now? 
The one thing that is at the top of my wish list right now for paper crafting is a good book press. This will serve 2 purposes. 1, is to flatten the books and pages to the books I make, and 2 ties in with what I would like to learn and perfect next. Paper making!!!! I have all of the product needed to learn, now I just need to find the time for yet another paper crafting hobby!! 

Who in the paper crafting community would you like to meet «in real life»? Why? 
I have met many artists on my journey through the paper crafting world. Some of the biggest names in the industry! Tim Holtz, Theresa Collins, Finnbar (Anna Dabrowska), and a few more. Attending the trade shows, or going to their classes has given me that opportunity. But I would really love to sit down, have a cup of tea, and create with Colleen Southwell, The Garden Curator. Colleen is a paper artist that takes paper crafting to a new level!!! Can you imagine Entomology Specimens made up of paper??? I mean, I love a good butterfly, dragonfly or bee on my projects, but Colleen is a master at creating them with paper. You have to take a look at her art! I want to be her when I grow up!! 

Can you describe your craftroom? 
I am lucky enough to have a studio in my home. I also have a smaller corner in what used to be my dining room, so that I can work out in the open and not be shut up in a room which is my main studio. Right now, my studio is so out of control with stuff and space, that I mainly work in my smaller space and use the studio as my supply room, until I can sort it out. But it is very pretty. I think I just need a redo after 10 years. The plan is to gut it, give it fresh paint, and flooring. 

Other things you would like to mention in the presentation? 
I have created hundreds of projects through out the years. But my personal favorite projects are the ones that I created with 49 and Market. Probably because their product fits my style perfectly! And so, I am honored to serve as a designer on their team, and hope to do so for many years. I believe the projects you do, are only as good as the products you use. 

Where can we find you? 
You can find all of the projects I have created on my Blog: What A Beautiful Mess  
My Instagram Page: starsailorscrapper

Posted