Hey all, Polly Jewelle here! I am back to bring you another TLP member spotlight! This month I asked the other Polly’s here at the Pad to help pick a member to spotlight. We chose Christa aka cfile to spotlight. Christa has been a longtime member here at the Pad. Her helpfulness in the forum is always appreciated, and her great artwork in the gallery provides inspiration for everyone! Let’s sit back and take some time to get to know more about Christa!
Jewelle: What is your IRL name and your user name?
Christa: Christa (cfile)
Jewelle: Where do you call home?
Christa: Virginia
J: Are you a digital or hybrid scrapbooker? Or both?
C: Digital
J: How long have you been scrapping?
C: Since about 1998. I started out on the internet doing signature animated name graphics using Paint Shop Pro and Photo Impact.
J: What is the starting point for your pages – photos, the story, products?
C: The starting out point for a CT page tends to be the product. Most times it will be a photo though.
J: How would you describe your style?
C: I don’t even know if there is a word to describe my style! I guess a “Mixed Style” would say it best as it is dependent upon my mood.
J: Any must-have items or techniques on all of your pages?
C: I would say technique. I like to blend things a lot and use masking a lot.
J: Do you have a favorite tip or trick you can share with us?
C: A favorite tip or trick would have to be the masking to blend into a background. I have a blank layer that I clip my photo (or paper) to in Photo Shop. I then use a grungy style brush and paint on the blank layer which will bring the photo (or paper) out exactly where I painted… that will usually allow it to blend in well with the background papers below. This tip I have written about on Kate Hadfield’s blog quite a while ago.
J: Do you listen to music while you scrap? What kind?
C: I don’t listen to music while scrapping. I usually have the TV going. [If I do listen to music though it will usually be Country or 50’s & 60’s.]
J: What’s your favorite snack (if any) while you scrap?
C: Favorite snack while scrapping is really more like my favorite beverage. COFFEE!!
J: What time of day do you feel most creative?
C: Early in the day until about 3 in the afternoon. I am an early riser and retired. I like to shut off the computer after 3.
J: Any pictures of your workplace you would like to share?
C: My work space is at my kitchen table overlooking the backyard.
J: Share with us your three favorite layouts.
C: I have lots of favorites of mine, but the latest favorites are:
C: This one is a favorite as it was in Edinburgh Scotland at the Elephant House Café, and the photo was taken in the exact spot J K Rowling sat in writing the first two Harry Potter Books.
C: When Alan Rickman passed away I did a sketch drawing of him and did this page. I really loved the way it came out. It just flowed out of me and went perfectly with Kate Hadfield’s Wizardry doodles which are a favorite of mine!
C: This one was in regards to my Mother. I like to pull old slides and make layouts from them. This one is special as my Mom was a bird watcher. This was her and her friends out on a bird walk. (My Mom is gone 26 years now.)
Thank you Christa for letting us learn more about you!
Be sure and pop over to Christa’s TLP gallery to see more of her amazing work! Do you want to be spotlighted on the TLP blog? Keep posting your layouts in the gallery and you may be next!
MelanieB says
Wonderful choice for a member profile! Christa, your photoshop skills are out of this world! I’ve been enjoying following your trip to Scotland through your pages!
Christa says
Thank you so much Melanie!! :)
Kate says
It makes me so happy to see Christa featured here! She’s been a member of my Creative Team for several years now and I always love to see all the different techniques she uses on her pages – she has such a unique and arty style!
Congratulations on your feature Christa! :)
Christa says
Thank you so much Kate!! :) I love creating pages with your doodles as well as the other designers here at the pad… I came to the pad because of you :) Thanks for your wonderful comments!!
Diane says
I love learning more about you, Christa, my friend. You are beautiful in so many ways. I really love the page that showed your mom and her friends (I see why it is so special to you).
Christa says
Thank you Diane! Big hugs my dear. Your words mean more to me than I can say!!