What inspires you for layouts, projects, cards?
I think most of my inspiration comes from looking at other peoples blogs and the galleries on SCS and Rubber Stamp companies sites. Sometimes it comes from my stash, or from seeing a technique I haven't tried. Also it can come from the reason I am making the card- tying it to the likes & interests of the person I am making it for. Oh, and You Tube videos!

What other project types do you like to work on beside scrapbook pages?
I haven't done any scrapbooking yet, its on my to-do list though! In the past I have done glass painting and cross stitch, dressmaking and dabbled in making jewellery.

What is your favourite scrapbook brand, and why?
Tim Holtz has to be at the top of the list- I love his stuff. Stamp companies like Stampscapes,Crafty Individuals, Non Sequiteur, Lavinia Stamps because she has gorgeous fairy & fantasy stamps,and I do like K & Co papers.

What scrapbooking tools/products can you not do without?
Probably my Cuttlebug & folders, Nestabilities, my Silhouette digital cutter. Stamps & inkpads goes without saying. Besides these, its the real basics I use day after day: scalpel & steel edge ruler, Stamp positioner, scoreboard & embossing tool, Heat gun. Oh and reading glasses- they really are a must-have,lol. Not a crafting tool, but absolutely essential - COFFEE!

What is your current favourite technique or embellishment?
I've just had a big Easel card phase, and I love brayering backgrounds. Actually, making backgrounds using different techniques is one of my big loves- I tend to get carried away and make loads.I have also just discovered what a useful product Glossy Accents is!

What do you hope to try or improve on this year?
I intend to do some pieces with canvases this year, and am determined to improve my colouring technique. Colouring is definitely a weak point of mine, but my youngest son & my Beloved Husband both bought me some Promarkers for Christmas (as requested), and I used them this week on the pieces I did for WOYWWStampbord, that has been sitting here for a couple of years now, that I want to make use of.

What advice can you give to people just beginning to enjoy scrapbooking?
Make the most of the Internet! I think we crafters today are so lucky-you can 'meet' other crafters and see their work via their blogs, learn how to do anything via You Tube videos, research products and how to use them- its the most awesome resource, all in the comfort of your own home, whenever you have spare time. Especially today, where many of us work shifts/have young children/don't drive or live close to a craft shop, and in this current financial climate, its not always easy to justify the spending on classes. Join a forum like Splitcoast Stampers- there’s always someone who knows the answer to your problem. They are all so helpful & encouraging.
Start your own blog- its easy, and you meet so many great people,if you see a technique that you like- ask the creator- they will always share their knowledge with you.I'm in the UK, and visit, and get visited by, crafters from all over the world. Blogland is huge and friendly! Don't be afraid to put your work out there- I only started my blog a little under a year ago, and it has improved my confidence immensely to find that other people like what I do. I think maybe we are each our own greatest critic sometimes, and only see what we think of as imperfections- we have a picture in our mind of what the finished project will look like, and if it doesn't match up we are disappointed. Others don't have that picture, so they see the project as it is.
Play! I have a few techniques I use for backgrounds that I have discovered just by playing around with ink & card. There really is no right or wrong- if it works for you that’s what matters.