[creative] 8:33 pm: Welcome to Creative Crafts and Stickers Becky!

[creative] 8:33 pm: You can only imagine how excited we all are to have you here with us tonight

[becky@pagemaps] 8:33 pm: thank you!

[becky@pagemaps] 8:34 pm: I’m glad to be here with all of you

[creative] 8:34 pm: I am going to start off the chat by asking some questions that the ladies posted on the mb

[becky@pagemaps] 8:34 pm: great

[creative] 8:34 pm: once we have gone through those questions, i will open the chat up to everyone who is here

[becky@pagemaps] 8:35 pm: sounds good

[creative] 8:35 pm: How long have you been scrapping?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:35 pm: Well, I’ve been scrapping since I was a kid, but got serious about it in 2001

[creative] 8:36 pm: what happened in 2001 to get you started

[becky@pagemaps] 8:36 pm: My inlaws celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and I made them an album of their 60 years together

[creative] 8:36 pm: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:37 pm: for scrapbooking, what really gets me going creatively are the photos and the story. I’m a huge fan of journaling and good photos

[creative] 8:38 pm: What do you do when you get scrappers block?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:38 pm: I use my sketches!

[creative] 8:38 pm: lol

[guest] 8:38 pm: hee hee hee

[guest] 8:38 pm: Seriously, I do!

[creative] 8:38 pm: do you always sketch before you create a layout or do you create the sketch from your layout?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:39 pm: I almost always sketch first, once I’ve established how many photos and how much journaling I have

[creative] 8:40 pm: do you handwrite your journaling?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:40 pm: sometimes, but like most people, I hate my handwriting

[creative] 8:41 pm: What program do you use to create your sketches?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:41 pm: first, I draw them by hand on graph paper, then I use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop

[creative] 8:42 pm: What is your background/training?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:42 pm: I am a Graphic Illustrator by trade and have owned my own design agency for the past 14 years

[becky@pagemaps] 8:43 pm: I attended Arizona State University (go DEVILS!) and got my design BA there

[creative] 8:43 pm: What is your favourite size layout to create?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:44 pm: 12×12 single layouts are my favorite

[creative] 8:44 pm: is there a specific reason why you prefer singles to doubles?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:44 pm: for me, doubles take too long. I’m a slow scrapper anyway and it just seems like double layouts have soooo much room

[creative] 8:45 pm: How do you organize your time for scrapbooking?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:46 pm: wow, you should have asked me that a week ago before we got a new puppy! LOL

[becky@pagemaps] 8:46 pm: Generally, I work from 6am to 1pm at my day job, then scrap in the afternoons and take care of business at PageMaps

[creative] 8:46 pm: what kind of dog?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:46 pm: Darby is a golden retriever

[creative] 8:47 pm: Have you found this industry to be very competitive?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:48 pm: I worked for BasicGrey for almost two years, and during that time, I saw the really competitive side of this industry.

[creative] 8:48 pm: were you on their dt or an employee?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:49 pm: I was an employee on the creative team

[guest] 8:49 pm: Hello Becky, it has been my observation that there seems to be a trend to overdesign a layout using many different layers of paper and embellishments. The result is that the focus is taken away from the photo being displayed and more on the background. This just seems to defeat the whole purpose of scrapbooking. What are your views on this trend.

[becky@pagemaps] 8:50 pm: Sandy, I couldn’t agree with you more. There was a time when I used to create the “$20 page,” but looking back at my work from two or three years ago, the photos and journaling didn’t take center stage.

[becky@pagemaps] 8:50 pm: In my humble opinion, the whole idea of scrapbooking is to tell a story

[becky@pagemaps] 8:51 pm: So that 100 years from now, our future family will know what the photos were all about

[creative] 8:51 pm: What are the main subjects of your own scrapbooking?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:51 pm: Ha! Well, right now, Darby the new pup! I also scrap a lot of heritage photos and fly fishing photos (my husband is a local fishing guide and we are avid fly fishermen)

[becky@pagemaps] 8:52 pm: And when I do magazine work, I rent my friends’ kids

[creative] 8:52 pm: Are you on any design teams or creative teams right now?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:53 pm: I’m still designing for BasicGrey, and I also am on the Melissa Frances and Pink Martini DT’s

[creative] 8:53 pm: Do you have a favourite manufacturer or product line? (If you can answer that lol)

[becky@pagemaps] 8:54 pm: Wow, that’s a tough one. I’d have to say that my “go to” paper would be Chatterbox. They have remained one of the few manufacturers whose papers and designs are truly timeless. Of course, I really dig BasicGrey too!

[creative] 8:55 pm: How do you choose whose samples you will post on PageMaps.com and in your newsletters?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:56 pm: Boy, I get asked that a lot! After a scrapper emails me to say she’d like to contribute, she goes on the list. Each month, I randomly select 10 scrappers for the main set of maps, and however many more artists I need for the bonus set (like the RoundMaps, for instance). The list grows longer every day!

[becky@pagemaps] 8:56 pm: And that’s pretty cool. When you stop to think about it — the site is free and the contributors make samples for free.

[creative] 8:57 pm: Do they send you hardcopies of the layouts, or scans of them?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:58 pm: Everything is done electronically. Gosh, what did we do before email? lol

[creative] 8:58 pm: Do you have any tips on how to create a visually pleasing layout?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:59 pm: For me, a layout that has a pleasing design is one where the main photo is the first thing I see and the title and journaling flow from the photo.

[creative] 9:00 pm: A common question is how do you mix and match patterned paper. Any suggestions?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:01 pm: Well, this goes back to something I learned in college. I took a fabric design class my senior year (yeah, I was padding my GPA! lol) and this professor I had taught us to choose a small, tight pattern, then a medium, bold pattern, and finally a large print pattern or a solid. That tip has served me well in scrapbooking!

[creative] 9:02 pm: Okay, I am going to open up the chat to everyone else here. If you could all remember that there is a slight delay to your message appearing, and try to give Becky a chance to answer the last question before posting a new one , that would be great.

[guest] 9:02 pm: Fly fishing in Montana…wow…my hubby would think he died and went to heaven. He spends hours making and designing his own flys.Maybe this summer on our trip to western Canada thru the U.S.A. I’ve really enjoyed your time with us and also LOVE your page maps.

[becky@pagemaps] 9:03 pm: thank you grammie! Has your husband ever fly fished in Montana? We are known for our blue ribbon rivers and streams

[guest] 9:03 pm: Do you tend to follow the Scrapbook trends or do you rely on what feels good for you?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:04 pm: Tara, for me trends are just that: trends. I might try a new “trendy” technique on a page or a “trendy” product, but for the most part, I stick to what feels good when I’m putting a page together

[guest] 9:05 pm: What is your favorite techinque… your tried and true?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:05 pm: hmmmm, that’s a tough question! Well, I’m not sure if it’s much of a technique, but I sew on the majority of my pages

[guest] 9:06 pm: what about embellishments? do you use many?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:07 pm: I’m nuts about chipboard and I really like buttons and small doodads

[guest] 9:07 pm: I can only imagine how wondefful your scrap room must be. Any organizational tips?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:08 pm: Mason jars! Lots and lots and lots of mason jars! I’m a collector of old glass jars, so I have quite a glass storage system that also serves as a decorative accent. That and vertical paper shelving my husband built for me last year. It’s the bomb!

[creative] 9:08 pm: Do you hang out on online scrapbook sites, or at a local scrapbook store, or a bit of both, or neither lol?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:09 pm: Well, I don’t have a lot of time to get online and visit sites, but when I do, I cruise veggieville every so often. We don’t have any LSS’s in my area, so I do almost 100% of my shopping online

[guest] 9:09 pm: What scrap magazines do you currently subscribe to?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:10 pm: Let’s see … CK, MM, SBE, Paper Crafts and Scrapbook Retailer

[creative] 9:10 pm: Have you thought of creating a book with all of your sketches?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:11 pm: Well, funny you should mention that ….. :whistle:

[becky@pagemaps] 9:11 pm: I am currently working on a book for MM Books that will debut next January at CHA Winter

[guest] 9:11 pm: Who’s work do you most admire in the industry right now?

[guest] 9:12 pm: A book? Whoo hoo!!!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:12 pm: I’m a huge fan of Marla Kress, Ali Edwards and Judi VanValkinburgh

[guest] 9:12 pm: Jen, mark that on your calendar please

[creative] 9:12 pm: That is great Becky. Congrats!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:12 pm: Thanks so much!

[guest] 9:12 pm: Seems so far way…..

[becky@pagemaps] 9:13 pm: It does Tara. I have to turn in my manuscript and artwork by July 2nd and MM books needs six months to produce it

[guest] 9:13 pm: Crazy huh?

[guest] 9:14 pm: I also enjoy Judi’s work!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:14 pm: Isn’t she awesome Catherine?

[creative] 9:14 pm: it is amazing that they can put out a magazine every month, but need 6 months to put out a book

[guest] 9:14 pm: How long do you take to complete a 12X12, as you said you were a slow scrapper.

[guest] 9:14 pm: she is so creative

[becky@pagemaps] 9:15 pm: well, it’s printed in China so there’s a huge delay in getting it back on the ground in the US, but still, yeah!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:15 pm: Grammie, it depends on the page and how OCD I want to get about it! LOL I can usually finish a page in an afternoon

[guest] 9:15 pm: there will be many waiting for your book I am sure

[guest] 9:15 pm: Who in the industry would you most like to meet?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:15 pm: ahahahaaaaaaaaaa Catherine

[becky@pagemaps] 9:16 pm: Hmmmmm, gotta think about that one

[creative] 9:16 pm: Does it seem surreal Becky?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:17 pm: I would love to meet Carol Duval, even though she’s not a scrapper

[becky@pagemaps] 9:17 pm: Jen, are you referring to the book?

[creative] 9:18 pm: yes, about the book

[becky@pagemaps] 9:18 pm: You know, it does. MM approached me at Memory Trends last October about doing it and you could have knocked me over with a feather

[becky@pagemaps] 9:19 pm: OMG, Carol Duval is the QUEEN of crafts here in the US! She’s been around longer than George Washington! LOL

[guest] 9:20 pm: I was at a crop last Sat and one of your sketches was given as a challenge. Seven scrapbookers took up the gauntlet. It was certainly interesting to see everyone’s interpretation. Your website will become a much referred to source of inspiration. Thank you for your creativity and willingness to share.

[guest] 9:20 pm: any advice for us beginners? I’m afraid to glue anything down because I’m not sure it does the page justice!!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:20 pm: Sandy, you are so welcome!

[guest] 9:21 pm: yeah….lets hear it for Becky. Thank you thank you.

[becky@pagemaps] 9:21 pm: Jacksgrma, I felt the same way too when I first started scrapbooking. My advice is to just go for it. If it feels right and the page looks good in your eyes, glue it down and move onto the next one. Creativity is something that evolves, you know?

[creative] 9:22 pm: When did you decide to start pagemaps?

[guest] 9:22 pm: Those scrapbook conventions such as Memory Trends are such a whirlwind. Do things tend to get a bit crazy? A bit out of hand sometimes?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:23 pm: Last April. I used to post them at Memory Creators (where I used to be on the DT), but the demand got a bit overwhelming and I decided that the sketches needed their own home. It’s funny, because when I launched the site in May, I didn’t think anyone would come visit it!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:23 pm: Tara, all the trade shows are nuts! This year’s CHA is the first one I haven’t attended in years. I’m so glad to take a break from them!

[guest] 9:24 pm: I remember Jen relaying a story once about desperately wanting to meet someone at one of the conventions and were shocked at how rude they were. Have you experienced anything like this before?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:25 pm: Many times Jen. There are some people who are great and others who …. aren’t.

[creative] 9:25 pm: They weren’t all rude, but I found some people not particularly friendly

[creative] 9:25 pm: Do you normally go to CHA with BasicGrey?

[guest] 9:25 pm: I have to admit, I didn’t know who you were until today, but after checking out your sketches… you will definatly take the place of um…well another becky!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:25 pm: I do, but I’m taking a hiatus from now until July to finish the book.

[becky@pagemaps] 9:25 pm: I have to tell all of you the FUNNIEST story about Becky Higgins!!!!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:26 pm: Okay … ahem

[becky@pagemaps] 9:26 pm: last year at Memory Trends in Las Vegas, I was working in the booth at Pink Martini designs.

[becky@pagemaps] 9:26 pm: Day two of the show and who walks into the booth? You guessed it — Becky Higgins.

[becky@pagemaps] 9:26 pm: So, I walk up to her and she sees my name on my badge and says to me … (are you ready for this?)

[becky@pagemaps] 9:27 pm: [drum roll please]

[becky@pagemaps] 9:27 pm: “Oh, you must be the “other” Becky”

[guest] 9:27 pm: well, this beckys sketches seem to make alot more sense to me

[becky@pagemaps] 9:27 pm: I about died! It took everything in me not to burst out laughing right to her face!

[creative] 9:28 pm: Personally, I prefer yours , and not just because you are here with us!

[guest] 9:28 pm: That’s a real cute story.

[becky@pagemaps] 9:28 pm: Okay, that’s your laff for the day!

[creative] 9:28 pm: You must have been so pleased

[guest] 9:28 pm: I like Ms Flecks sketches better too

[guest] 9:28 pm: I agree, I am hooked, I visit the site about every day.

[guest] 9:28 pm: Maybe some day you can go up to her and say the same thing

[catherine] 9:28 pm: I love the round sketches

[becky@pagemaps] 9:28 pm: You know, there’s plenty of room in this industry for TEN Becky’s if you ask me!

[guest] 9:29 pm: They can have a hundred but please don’t remove Becky Fleck okay?

[guest] 9:29 pm: Do you look after your own website or do you hav eto hire someone to help out?

[becky@pagemaps] 9:29 pm: Nah, as long as the Packers keep losing, you’ll have sketches!

[guest] 9:29 pm: I love the way you present your sketches

[becky@pagemaps] 9:30 pm: I do everything on my own site. I didn’t expect it to grow so popular, so now it’s more work than I had anticipated

[creative] 9:30 pm: Does your husband understand and support your scrapbooking?

[guest] 9:30 pm: sketches are a god send to us beginners, and yours are awesome, thanks!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:30 pm: You know, he does. Although he calls it “crapbooking” when I’m working long hours! lol Yeah, funny guy.

[guest] 9:31 pm: real quick back to contributing, did you say it’s done electronically? Or do you draw out of a literal hat

[becky@pagemaps] 9:32 pm: The electronic part is that the contributor scans/photographs her layout and emails it to me. And yes, I literally draw names from a hat (well, actually a mason jar!)

[guest] 9:32 pm: you are right Katz, and this is the first time I saw them that really seem doable

[creative] 9:32 pm: Well ladies, our hour is coming to an end

[guest] 9:32 pm: ok thank you so much for taking time to be here!

[guest] 9:32 pm: With all the entries you recieve it is probably the easiest way Becky.

[guest] 9:32 pm: Thank you Becky

[becky@pagemaps] 9:32 pm: You are welcome - I enjoyed chatting with all of you very much! I’m so glad you’ve discovered PageMaps. Send me your stuff - I’d love to see everyone’s work!

[creative] 9:33 pm: Becky, thank you very much for spending this hour with us! Your sketches are truly inspirational. I wish you all the luck with your book. We will anxiously await it!

[guest] 9:33 pm: thanx becky

[guest] 9:33 pm: Perhaps we will meet at CHA summer! Best of luck with the book!

[guest] 9:33 pm: It’s been great having you join us this evening. Thanks again Becky.

[becky@pagemaps] 9:33 pm: Thank you everyone - happy scrapping! Time to take the pup out for a potty break

[guest] 9:33 pm: Thanks Becky

[creative] 9:34 pm: Have a great evening!

[becky@pagemaps] 9:34 pm: by the way, her ADORABLE mug shot is on the home page at www.pagemaps.com !! hee hee
Here are a few items that were discussed before the chat actually started:

[guest] 8:25 pm: There I just finished uploading two BD cards using Becky’s sketches.. Thank you Becky.. awesome sketches

[becky@pagemaps] 8:26 pm: woo hoo!

[guest] 8:26 pm: I tried doing a round layout and it was fun

[guest] 8:27 pm: I just discovered them Jen….. thanks to you

[becky@pagemaps] 8:27 pm: the round maps were very popular this month !

[creative] 8:27 pm: the round maps are a fresh change

[guest] 8:28 pm: I like how the round maps get me out of my comfort zone Becky

[guest] 8:28 pm: I shall certainly be using them more often for sure

[becky@pagemaps] 8:29 pm: I’m glad you liked them Tara

[guest] 8:30 pm: Becky do you have a family?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:30 pm: We have three dogs (one is just a pup), two cats, a herd of cattle, and three horses

[guest] 8:31 pm: Sounds like a busy household Becky. My girls would love it at your house!!

[becky@pagemaps] 8:31 pm: Yep, we’re pretty busy here on the ranch!

[guest] 8:31 pm: Where do you live?

[becky@pagemaps] 8:32 pm: We live in the mountains of southeast Montana in a small town called Columbus

[guest] 8:32 pm: Oh.. I bet it’s lovely

[becky@pagemaps] 8:32 pm: I was born and raised here — it’s really beautiful