Today we are going to meet Jaclyn Rench.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Jaclyn Rench and I’m a stay-at-home mom to two sweet boys – TJ, who just turned six and Justin who is 2 ½ . In mid-November, my husband Tom (of 10 years) and I will welcome a third little bundle to our family. From the ultrasound pictures, we were assured that we are having a girl, but after having two little boys we’re still a bit nervous to fully commit and paint the nursery pink! J When I’m not busy taking care of my family I love to sneak in some time to scrapbook (obviously!), bake, decorate, read and catch up on some of my favorite blogs. In fact, I’ve been so inspired by the blogging world that I recently decided to start my own. I hope you’ll pop over sometime and visit me at jaclynrench.blogspot.com, where I share many of the design team pages that I create for Simply Scrapbooks, plus lots more!
2. When did you first start scrapbooking and why?
I started ‘archival’ scrapbooking nearly 12 years ago and have maintained my eagerness and excitement for it, since the day I created my very first page. My mom bought me a scrapbooking kit, back in 1999, that I used to document my college photos and memories. Shortly after that I discovered Creating Keepsakes magazine and a store dedicated solely to scrapbooking supplies. To say I was immediately and forever ‘hooked’ on this hobby, might be a bit of an understatement. J
3. Do you prefer cardstock or patterned paper?
Do I have to pick just one? Really, I love both -- but patterned paper might take a slight lead. All of my pages are created off a cardstock base that usually matches closely to the patterned papers I have picked for that project.
4. What is your ‘go to’ embellishment?
My 'go to' embellishment is definitely buttons! I can't seem to make a scrapbook page, or layout, or mini album, or altered project without one! I am particularly fond of the Doodlebug brand boutique buttons, but they are quickly being replaced in my number one spot, by My Mind's Eye Lost and Found button cards -- I can't resist the variety!
5. Do you like to go to crops or prefer to scrap alone?
I love to crop with friends, but that typically results in more socializing that actual scrapbooking. I get the most done in my little corner of our finished basement, into the wee hours of the night. So, to answer the question, I enjoy doing both – depending on whether I’m hoping for a night out with the girls or plan to get a lot accomplished!
6. What are your favorite types of projects—pages, mini albums, cards, altered projects, etc?
I would consider myself first and foremost, a scrapbooker but that’s not to say I don’t dabble in other creative endeavors, as well. I often use up my ‘leftovers’ from a recent scrapbook project to create one or more cards, while I still have all the coordinating supplies laying out on my workspace. I’ve been known to come up with an altered project, now and then, for a paper line that I just love but don’t have the right pictures for at the moment.
7. Computer or handwritten journaling?
I'm definitely one to, nearly always, computer journal on my page. Being the perfectionist that I am, I love the precise sizing, spacing and placement that computer journaling provides. Plus, I often tend to be a bit 'wordy' in my journaling and appreciate the ability to lower my font size to accommodate additional text.
8. How long does it typically take you to complete a project?
It typically takes me an evening to complete a one or two page layout. I usually sit down at my scrap table after my boys are tucked in for the night, and can pump out a page in two to three hours. Oftentimes, I will even type up the journaling to totally finish off the page, that same evening, but depending on how late it is, that sometimes gets left to be completed the next day.
9. Are you a neat scrapbooker or is your space a mess?
While I'm scrapbooking, I'm typically pretty messy. I like to pull out lots of different things that I 'might' use on a page -- so my workspace tends to get cluttered in a hurry. However, I have to clean my workspace up completely before I’m able to successfully move on to the next project.
10. Do you have a favorite adhesive?
I certainly can’t name one favorite adhesive because there are so many that I use, depending on the project. I do admit, though, to having a bit of an obsession with foam adhesive, as I just can’t resist the added depth and dimension it can add to elements on my projects.
11. Do you have a favorite die cutting system?
I own a cricut machine and enjoy the ease of functionality that it provides. However, I tend to go through phases of using it. I LOVE all of the fun designs and options there are out there for the Sihlouette, but have yet to take the leap and invest in one.
Come on in and take a look around the walls and you will certainly see some inspiration from Jaclyn!
Comments