On October 18th, 2006, members of Creative Crafts and Stickers had the pleasure of chatting with Elsie Flannigan. Here is the dialogue that took place:

[creative] Elsie, Welcome to Creative Crafts and Stickers. I am glad you could join us tonight for a chat 

[creative] Now just to remind everyone how we are going to run this chat, I have pulled all the questions from the mb and will be posting them for Elsie.

[creative] We will then open up the questions at the end of the hour so everyone can say hello or ask anything else.

[tanya] Hi Elsie. I am just going to jump in before she gets back and say what an inspiration I think you are and that I can not wait to see your new KI goodies. (damn! she’s back! lol) tootles all

[elsiecake] :) cool!

[elsiecake] tanya! thanks! i am so excited!

[creative] Elsie, What made you start scrapbooking, and how long ago did you start?

[elsiecake] i started almost 3 years ago b.c i had piles and piles of photos everywhere… i love the art of it.. i love that it gives my memories a little voice and a safe place! it is totally fullfilling!

[creative] You have such an amazing style. What inspires you?

[elsiecake] so many things.. let me think….

[elsiecake] photos. for sure….

[elsiecake] music

[elsiecake] happy colors

[elsiecake] shopping and books and magazines :)

[creative] Do you have any formal art training?

[elsiecake] nope

[creative] these are in no particular order by the way

[creative] How do you think your style developed…what were your early influences?

[elsiecake] sabrina ward harrison is a big one for me.. i love her.

[creative] Do you have any hints/tips to the more linear scrapper as to how to “let loose” and add some artistic flair to ones layouts?

[elsiecake] i also loved the DW books… i still do. those have always inspired me!

[creative] Do you have any hints/tips to the more linear scrapper as to how to “let loose” and add some artistic flair to ones layouts?

[elsiecake] well….. i always say.. if it doesnt work for you, it doesnt work… so you have to follow your instincts for sure! but look at some more freestyle pages that inspire you and try some of those ideas.. but with you own twist!

[creative] have you always been into freestyle, or did your style evolve into it?

[elsiecake] it evolves for sure.. i never really label my style.. i just do what i want to do… i like to have total freedom… sometimes doing more simple stuff and sometimes being totally wild.. i just go by my mood and have fun!

[creative] Did you always use the mixed medium and such in your layouts or did that style come in place as your style evolved?

[elsiecake] i have always liked to use a lot of texture…. one of the first books i ever had was DW texture… so i looooove anything that you can touch and feel. always loved lots of layers and stuff… but it does certainly change over time!

[creative] What is the most outrageous thing you have used on a scrapbook project or scrapped about?

[elsiecake] OOOH! fun question.. let me think…

[elsiecake] well.. the first thing that comes to mind is some pages i did about my friends lingerie shower! they were totally fun and girly and wild! haha

[creative] do your friends scrapbook with you?

[elsiecake] not very often… bc i dont have very many local friends that scrap… but T’s little brother just got a new girlfriend and SHE SCRAPS! yaaaaay! she is coming over tomorrow all day!

[creative] lucky girl!

[creative] You are an amazing photographer! What kind of camera do you have?

[elsiecake] hehe!

[elsiecake] thank you…

[elsiecake] i have a canon 20d and i use photoshop to punch up all my photos.. i really LOVE that as a part of my creative process!

[creative] are you trained in photoshop, or do you just ‘play’ around with your photos

[elsiecake] i worked at a studio for a while.. so they gave me tons of tips!!! it is sooo fun!

[creative] And, who takes all the fantastic pictures of you?

[elsiecake] :) awe. thank you! we just pass my camera around… so just my husband or my sis or my friends… nothing fancy

[creative] Are there certain features that you always use from photoshop? Things that you think all photos need improved or fixed?

[elsiecake] yep.. i always do levels… then layers (i do a screen layer and a overlay layer) and just play around with the color balance and stuff… love it.

[creative] Any tips you can give on getting a better picture?

[elsiecake] take a LOT.. i usually take waaaaay more photos than i need. it is nice to have choices!

[creative] Do you prefer to scrap with black and white photos or colour photos?

[elsiecake] lately i am really into color.. goes in cycles..

[creative] How did you get your foot into the industry?

[elsiecake] ummm.. i just submitted to CK and posted on 2peas

[creative] How long have you been working with CK?

[elsiecake] my first layout (fresh face) was in last years October issue. so only about a year and a half…. i did my book last fall.. so fun!

[creative] Are you enjoying your celebrity status?

[elsiecake] um… i dont really think of it like that.. i dont feel like a celebrity AT ALL… haha.. but i totally love my job with KI and I love to scrapbook and I enjoy keeping a blog… so it’s all good!

[creative] Are you aware of how difficult it is to get your book in Canada? I have tried to order it for the store a number of times and it is always out of stock at the distributors LOL

[elsiecake] it had to be reprinted :) but it is shipping again now!

[creative] Congratulations. I can’t wait to get a copy of it.

[creative] Do you still hang out and post at 2peas? Or have you moved to your blog, or CKs website?

[DragonflyJoan] Hi Elsie…. Just gotta say…. LOVE your style!

[elsiecake] Ya.. i still love 2peas.. i still post layouts there… and i do my blog

[elsiecake] Thanks Joan!

[macmomma] Jen can we pounce on her yet?? Can we?? Can we???

[creative] just a few minutes ladies

[elsiecake] haha

[creative] We still have a few more questions to ask and then I will let you all loose!

[creative] Who are your favorite scrapcelebrities?

[elsiecake] i have so many.. i love danielle thompson’s work… i love ali and rhonna.. i love tara and candice stringham’s photos… i love kendra mccracken….

[creative] Do you plan your pages? Create a sketch, etc.? Scraplift some of your friends?

[elsiecake] i dont really lift anymore… just not my thing… i like to make sketches.. but usually i just choose my photos and go at it.. i am not a big planner.. i just put stuff on the table and go! haha

[creative] What do think will be the next trendy item or technique in the industry?

[elsiecake] there is so much out there.. i think people are getting more back into photos based layouts, which i love and also MINI BOOKS.. it’s all about the mini books!

[creative] What is your favorite scrapbook product?”

[elsiecake] i am really really in love with the new KI fall line…. grateful… it is yum yum yummy! going to make some stuff with it tomorrow!

[creative] Do you have a favourite pen you use for your doodling?

[elsiecake] white uniball signo.. black slick writer and the photo signature pen

[creative] Can you tell us about your scrap space? Are you an organized person? Where do you scrap?

[elsiecake] i have a studio now (pics on my blog) loooooove it! i am not super duper organized.. but i like to keep it decent… helps me think when it is pretty! but i make BIG messes!!!!

[creative] When you are scrapping, or shopping for supplies do you tend to stick to certain lines or products that are meant to be together?

[elsiecake] not really.. i just use what i like.. i dont really worry about matching colors or themes as much as i worry about the emotions!

[creative] Before I let the ladies loose on you, can you give us a hint as to the contents of your new line of products coming out at winter cha?

[elsiecake] i can tell you it it a BIG line… i will have my own booth (so come see me if you are there!) and we will have all the basics with some new stuff too!

[creative] Okay ladies, go ahead and pounce LOL Actually, jump in one at a time like the good little girls you all are LOL

[alligatorally] What advice do you have for newbies wanting to “break into the biz?”

[elsiecake] just do your thang! have fun! be consistant about submitting and posting and enjoy the process!

[jenfromnj] Where do you print your photos at, or do you print them at home?

[elsiecake] i print them at home or at sams club or online at clarkcolor.com

[kerryscraps] Hi Elsie, Congratulations on your job with KI. You must be thrilled. We, at Scrapbook&Cards Today magazine, just wanted to say way to go! Catherine Tachdjian and I would love to meet you at CHA!!

[elsiecake] Yes! cool! please stop by, Kerry!

[macmomma] What kind of computer do you have Elsie?

[elsiecake] i have a mac G4 named “lovelove”

[newmommy2scrap] Hi Elsie! On average, how long does it take you to complete a single page?

[elsiecake] It usually takes me about an hour to do a page…. sometimes more or less.. but that is pretty normal for me..

[elsiecake] i dont like to scrap fast anymore.. haha.. i love being slow…

[macmomma] an hour is slow??? yeow lol

[alligatorally] How long did you submit before you were a “fresh face?”

[elsiecake] i only submitted for a few month before i got picked up.. but some people take longer…nothing wrong with that… i lost HOF the in 2004 when i entered.

[alligatorally] Have to go now, just wanted to say that I love love love your book, I look at it every day! even my 2 year old darling daughter flips thru it!:) Thanks for all your inspiration!!

[scraptasticmama] Elsie, I just wanted to let you know that I tend to be a scraplift kinda girl(with my own spin OF COURSE!), and that your 52 challenge book has REALLY helped me to scrap on my own. THANK YOU!

[elsiecake] THANK YOU! hugs!

[jenfromnj] Elsie, what or who do you enjoy scrapping the most?

[elsiecake] i like to scrap anything with really cool photos.. especially of people i love!

[creative] How did your book come to be? Did CK propose it to you, or you to them?

[elsiecake] CK asked me to do it. i was thrilled!

[kerryscraps] Will you be teaching classes at CHA, as well as manning your booth?

[elsiecake] I am not sure yet what i am doing at CHA.. .will post on my blog, closer to

[Sharon Emanuel] So I see that you draw all over your photos and work. It looks really cool. What kind of a pen do you use?

[elsiecake] 9:24 pm: i use the slick writer to draw on photos! love it! doesn’t smear!

[creative] Have you toured with your book?

[elsiecake] i have done lots of classes and signing lately for my book… looking forward to the holidays with the family! but i looooove traveling too and meeting people!

[scraptasticmama] I am not sure if you saw my post…..Elsie, I just wanted to let you know that I tend to be a scraplift kinda girl(with my own spin OF COURSE!), and that your 52 challenge book has REALLY helped me to scrap on my own. THANK YOU!

[creative] Are there any more questions for Elsie?

[kerryscraps] If you do end up teaching at CHA, I will try to get on the waiting list for the waiting list for your class(es)! LOL!

[Mellisa] Elsie - what is your favourite non-scrapping scrapbooking tool??

[elsiecake] my favorite non scrapbooking tool is PLAYING CARDS! love them!

[Mellisa] See - now that is just way out of my element. Intimidates me, for some reason.

[Tanya] I saw your mini felt album with the cards and thought how cool is that

[elsiecake] thanks!!!

[creative] Elsie, How was Paris?

[elsiecake] Paris was lovely and romantic! just like i imagined! i want to go back! it was soooo fun and the food was YUMMY!

[Mellisa] Was TJ lucky enough to join you on that trip?

[elsiecake] Nope.. he stayed home b.c he is in school.. i missed him soo much!

[Mellisa] I bet - especially in Paris. Tres romantique. But alas … studies to come first.

[jenfromnj] Elsie, do you have children, how old are they if you do?

[elsiecake] Nope.. i don’t have any children yet.. I do have a 3 year old neice, Lily!

[newmommy2scrap] How did you meet your hubby Elsie?

[elsiecake] at church.. when i was 14 love that boy!

[Tanya] do you enjoy teaching?

[elsiecake] Yes.. i like to teach… i have learned so much this year… i like to do smaller workshop style classes

[creative] Well, I think our hour with Elsie is just about done

[Tanya] Ahhhhhh

[jenfromnj] Thanks for your time Elsie, it was great to hear your answers

[kerryscraps] Thanks so much for taking time out to chat!

[1scrappymom] Thanks so much for chatting with us!!

[heather42] Thanks Elsie!

[creative] Elsie, I would like to thank you for joining us for this chat. You are a true inspiration to us all! Congratulations on your new KI Line. I look forward to meeting you at CHA!!!!!

[elsiecake] THANK YOU! you ladies are sooo sweet!

[elsiecake] Gotta go grocery shop now… haha!

[newmommy2scrap] Thank you so much Elsie for inspiring so many of us!!!

[elsiecake] HUGS!!!!

[creative] Feel free to come back anytime Elsie :kiss:

[Tanya] Yes thanks for coming Elsie…and watch out for all those emails from us Ottawa girls;) lol

[Mellisa] Take Care Elsie. All the best to you and thanks. You have most DEFINATELY made my day

[AngelBear] Thank you

[Newfygal] thanks from:ca:

[scraptasticmama] BYE ELSIE!!! LOTS OF SCRAPPY LUV!!

[elsiecake] Bye Bye! Hugs!!!!

[creative] Thanks for coming out tonight ladies. Goodnight