Member Spotlight! Leslie McCarthy

Welcome Leslie McCarthy!!



When did you start scrapbooking?
After the birth of my daughter in 2000, I remember walking down the scrapbooking aisles in a Michael's store and buying some pp and stickers. I loved the idea of being able to be creative, but even more to share the stories BEHIND the photographs to save for my children and future grandchildren. My first pages were VERY basic. I scrapped 8.5 x 11 for a while and then being a full-time working mom with two kids under the age of 2, I put it aside until about 2005. When I started scrapping anew, I changed to 12x12 - it allowed me more room for photos and journaling.

Who are your favorite manufacturers?
LOVING AC Thickers right now!! October Afternoon and Cosmo Cricket for patterned papers and I do love my Bazzill cardstock (although the new cardstock with the different colored core is pretty fun, too!)



What are your favorite embellishments?
My name is Leslie and I'm an alphabet sticker junkie!

How does your creative process work?
I started out being an event scrapper and have moved to being a moments and personality (along with events!) scrapper. I want to capture those moments of my kids' childhoods. My parents had 4 kids in 6 years and very little time to take photos. There are far fewer photos and they are not organized or even notations made as to family member names, dates or occasion. Same with my DH's family. I want to make sure that this doesn't happen with my family!!

How would you describe your style?
Independent. I don't scrap chronologically. I don't scrap every picture - in fact, are you ready for this? I also keep photo albums!!! I scrap for myself and for my family for the future (hope they’re interested!). I hope others viewing my pages get a sense of how special my family is and how very blessed I am.

Where do you find your inspiration?
Right here at home for subject matter. And for layout ideas, in classes like the Survival series. I'll admit I like scrap magazines and idea books but honestly rarely lift directly from them! (In fact, I think I'm about to start weaning myself from purchasing them!!)

Thank you Leslie for sharing your style with us!