Design Team
Rachel Kaufman - Founder and Owner
 I have been scrapbooking in some form or another for as long as I can remember. As a small child, I made books about movie stars, poster collages of my dreams and wishes for my future, and magnetic albums with family and friends' photos, embellished with stickers and handwritten journaling written on construction paper. I graduated to a wedding 'storybook' album made for close friends in 2000. Soon after, I was introduced to the 'new' world of scrapbooking...
I have been teaching at three local scrapbook stores in the Los Angeles area since 2007. I have really enjoyed the chance to watch others take my vision and transform it into something that speaks directly to their hearts. The publication of my album called "Sedona Moments', about moments of clarity in my life, in the Write from the Heart section of Simple Scrapbooks in Nov/Dec 2007 ( click here and here ) played an important role in helping me develop my teaching business, and for that I am so grateful.
When I first started scrapbooking, I covered events, trips and the like. I came to realize that the things I loved to scrapbook about were about my heart and soul. I'm a firm believer in the value of psychotherapy - and found that while other people were journaling as part of their therapy to get their feelings out and expressed, my best and most complete way to do that as part of my therapy was by scrapbooking and then studying and discussing it - so I created a unique tool for helping process my life. I am so thrilled and so motivated to share my 'way' of scrapbooking with others as it has helped me so much, and continues to, even to this day. It is my passion and my dream to help others understand themselves, deal with life's difficulties and celebrate their inner and most private victories through our craft.
I live with my family in beautiful Santa Monica, California, just 10 blocks from the beach. Seriously, you gotta come out here-it's amazing!
Rachel's Blog: Inside Out
Nancy Doren - Design Team Coordinator
 Hi! I'm Nancy and I've been scrapping for about four years. I'm passionate about scrapbooking my emotions... it I've learned so much about myself and the world through this amazing hobby! My first scrapbook was a honeymoon album I created right after I got married. Unfortunately, I burned out pretty quickly because I was consumed with getting every little detail perfect, so I gave up scrapping altogether. A few years later I decided to treat my scrapbooks like my journals and put my heart into what I did...I fell in love with scrapping again and now I find it so fulfilling! I love to get all my emotions out on a page... it's very satisfying to name a feeling and turn it into art.
My scrapbooking style is colorful, organic, and composed. I love mixing bright colors together, stitching, painting, hand-cutting, and circles. I'm inspired by magazines (I'm a little obsessed with them), my fellow scrappers, illustration websites, and children's books. I love watching sci-fi with my husband, beach vacations, reading in bed, and blogging.
Nancy's Blog: My Paperview
Arlene Camacho
 Hi! My name's Arlene, and I am addicted to scrap booking! I knew that my addiction would grow and grow as time went on so at first I'd admire what my online friends would make and try to stay far away! One day we went to an arts & crafts store and my hubby did the unthinkable...started buying me scrappy stuff to get me started....and that was it! I am blessed to say that my husband of 11 years is my number one fan and a huge enabler! He is known to go on his own and pick stuff up for me, just if he's thinking of me. Between him and the 4 kids (aged 4.5-10.5) they keep me busy and inspired at my desk. It's funny how now my family says or does something out of the norm and ask me "wait! are you scrapping that??!!!"
This art has allowed me to open up and express myself, IRL I am such a shy person, so it's interesting how scrapping has enabled me to spill the beans. I am honored to be a part of this design team and so very grateful for this opportunity! Hope to do Rachel and my fellow DT members proud!
Arlene's Blog: I Just Wanna Say
Melissa Elsner
 Hi everyone! My name is Melissa Elsner and I am from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. I'm a Program Coordinator at an Early Learning Center and when I am not working I do a lot of singing and traveling (I lived in Guatemala for a year) and, of course, scrapbooking!
Speaking of scrapbooking, it is by far my favorite hobby! As a former art teacher, I needed something to keep my creative juices going and what better way to still be creative and preserve memories at the same time! A lot of my layouts are about me. Being a single gal, I'm taking advantage of this time to scrapbook my lifestory and also express my emotions. It's therapy! I have been published in Paper Crafts Magazine, ScrapStreet and have had work displayed in various other venues. I also teach scrapbooking for EK Success.
I am beyond thrilled to be part of the SFTIO team and look forward to digging deeper together as we explore our inner worlds!
Melissa's Blog: The Profound Brunette
Aymee Gandy
 Hello! My name is Aymee Gandy, a.k.a. Southernbellescrapper. I love all things southern and like to think of myself as Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With the Wind at times. Like her, I am an old fashioned southern gal who is passionate about anything she touches and a complete girly girl. I think I would dress up like her if I could! I am 26 years old. I currently reside in Pennsylvania, but am originally from Alabama. I have been happily married to my high school sweetheart, Brandon, for 7 wonderful years. He is my perfect southern gentleman, the best husband I could have ever asked for. He is my life and we are still just as crazy about one another as the day we met. I am a domestic goddess, and Brandon works for the railroad. At the present, we do not have any children, but would like to start a family soon. With his rough work schedule, I am alone a lot, so when we do have a few moments together, we like to go out on 'dates', watch football, travel, and hang out with friends/family. When I have a moment to myself, I love to read romance novels, interior decorate, take pictures, clean my house, and organize. I am a huge Twilight fanatic; my scrappy space is even decorated in Twilight.
I am an avid scrapbooker who loves to create layouts, cards, and altered projects. Scrapbooking is my one, true passion in this life and I cannot get enough! I usually scrapbook almost every single day. Scrapbooking has been such a huge blessing in my life. It has not only introduced me to so many wonderful people, but it also has taught me so much about myself. I began scrapbooking about 4 years ago. At first, I was the epitome of basic scrapbooking. Then I discovered the scrapbooking message boards on-line and that helped me to grow into the scrapper I am today. I am a very shabby-chic, frilly type of scrapper. I love to add things such as dimension, stitching, ribbon, and lace to almost every page I create. But I do try to step outside of my comfort zone on occasion and try a completely different style. I am really looking forward to working with all of the talented ladies at Scrapbooking From The Inside Out.
As a scrapbooker, I have been blessed with so many wonderful opportunities. I have been published in several on-line publications as well as a few print magazines. I am a features writer for the on-line scrapbooking magazine, 'Scrapstreet.' I love to write and having the ability to help publish all of you fabulous scrapbookers out there is just the icing on the cake for me. I also have recently had the opportunity to go to a scrapbooking convention and assist in teaching scrapbook classes with our very own Pinky. I discovered that I love teaching and hope that it will be something I can incorporate into my future.
Aymee's Blog: A Scraphappy Southernbelle
Cristal Hobbs
 Hey I am Cristal, but everyone calls me Pinky. Who am I? I am one of those crackled glass vases you see and wonder how they stay together in that shape, broken but beautiful.
I have been scrapping for just over 2 years now and I fell hard in love with it. I have always scrapped just 10 degrees off the "norm", for me it has always been very personal. Scrapbooking pages from the inside is my passion, I love that it heals me and makes me stronger with every page I create. I am always amazed at how many approach me about my pages and how many strong bonds they create with others who are broken and beautiful just like me.
Of course I have 3 beautiful boys who I love to chronicle on paper, I am blessed with an amazing supportive hubby too, who reads every page I make. With such a great support system, how can I not scrap it all? Life is full of mayhem and curves, why not make them beautiful too. I am so excited to be a part of SFTIO!
Cristal's Blog: Much Ado About Nothing
Felecia Krech
 Hey, everyone! My name is Felecia. May passions (outside of my faith and family) are journaling, song-writing and scrapbooking. (and cupcakes) I guess, by that measure, I could call myself a story-teller. Notebooks full of clippings and drawings have been residents of my table tops and bookshelves since I was in high school. I took up scrapbooking in its “modern” form around 10 years ago when my God daughter was born. It has since grown into a rampant obsession in which I have inadequate time to indulge. (I still do those notebooks…how else am I going to remember the gorgeous shoes that caught my eye or the fact that there is a butterfly exhibit next weekend?!!?!?)
I have been married to a wonderful man (who doesn’t get scrapbooking, but totally adores how much I love to “cut and paste”) for 8 years and we have two amazing boys. As you can imagine, my guys are the normal topics for my art. But a girl can only handle so many pages about dump trucks and spiderman before she has to get to something a little more emotional, a little more transparent and emotional, a little bit more about the journey and the bumps, turns and sudden stops that happen along the way.
SFTIO has become my resting place, the place where my love of story-telling, my desire to be transparent, and the need to scrapbook something testosterone-free meet– a place just for me. Its my selfish little way to put a little bit of me into my scrapbooks. Because someday I want my kids to open up all those crazy notebooks and understand the woman who taped the Hanes ad and a recipe for cheesecake on the same page.
Felecia's Blog: 15 Minutes
Shaina Longstreet
 Hi, my name is Shaina. I’m a 23 year old wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I’m addicted to coffee, photography, and all things paper. I dream big, live simply, and celebrate the everyday.
Scrapbooking has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mum says that it’s "in my blood." But once I stumbled across the amazing world that is online scrapbooking, my mind and creativity were opened up even further. I was so inspired! My scrapping is very journaling oriented, which makes Scrapbooking from the Inside Out a perfect match for what i love to do. It is an honor to be a part of this amazing team. I hope that through my scrapbooking I can share this unique scrapping concept and inspire others to scrapbooking the important things.
I live in a tiny town in the middle of Washington state with my husband of 3 years, Chris and our new boxer puppy, Spencer.
This is me... choosing the shape of my own life and sharing it with the world.
Shaina's Blog: Serendipity
Amy Oxford
 Hi-ya, my name is Amy! I am a born and bred Missourian, but reside wherever the Military takes our family! I am first and for most a SAHM to 3 beautiful children; Kayla, Kyrsten, and Koen, and the wifey to my High School sweetie, Travis! We are the typical Military family and absolutely love the lifestyle it has provided us. We take the good with the bad!
I began Scrapbooking a little over 2 years ago as an outlet to help me deal with health issues I was having. Over the past 2 years I have grown into my own, and I finally feel like I have found my way in life through the art of preserving my memories, both good and bad. Scrap Therapy is something I truly believe in! Since Scrapbooking came into my life I have discovered so many new and exciting things to play around with! I am not one to think I have a particular style due to the fact that I am usually all over the place with my projects depending on what I am “playing” with that day! I just like to have fun with it, and as with any Scrapbooker, I just try to document my family’s life in a way I think is beautiful!
I am very excited to be here at Scrapbooking from the Inside Out, and look forward to the ongoing challenge of scrapping my life while keeping true to myself.
Amy's Blog: Pieces of Me
Diana Kennedy - The Pages of Your Life Coordinator
 Hi! I am Diana Kennedy from Edmonton, Alberta Canada. A “creative junkie” I have always been drawing, painting, sewing, crocheting, sculpting, jewelry making and dancing from a young age. I am learning how to create art journals, mixed media art and mixed media fibre art. I was introduced to scrapbooking a couple of years ago when I went on a retreat with one of my best friends. I was scrapbooking my wedding and was instantly hooked!
I am married to a wonderful man whom I am madly in love with and he supports me in every way…even enabling me with purchasing scrapbook supplies! I am educated with a Masters degree in clothing history and museum studies, but manage an art gallery located inside a hospital. My other interests include clean eating, baking, organic gardening, hiking, running, biking and of course shopping!
As a scrapbooker, I have been published in Canadian Scrapbooker magazine and Scrapstreet.com. I am inspired daily by all the many talented people who tell their life stories through the art of scrapbooking.
Diana's Blog: Scrap Your Life
Rita Barakat - Square Foot Scrapbooking Coordinator
 My name is Rita Barakat. I have been married to my wonderful hubby for 19 years. Before I had children I painted life size murals for a living. I am blessed to be a SAHM (stay at home mom) to five beautiful children ages 18 down to 4! My talents are all in the fine arts. I direct a youth choir and drama team. I sing and have always been a crafter and an artist. When I ran across scrapbooking I was immediately hooked! Scrapbooking is my passion.
I love being a part of Scrapbooking from the Inside Out! I love the process of journaling your emotions through scrapbooking; what a wonderful legacy we are leaving for future generations! I love that SFTIO gives us the opportunity to explore and express our feelings, I really enjoy hearing what everyone has to say and it's nice that we can be so honest. (WTG Rachel!) I am so excited to work with Rachel, Nancy and the SFTIO team.
Rita's Blog: Let's Embellish
Kai Baldwin - Marketing Graphic Designer
 Vertically challenged, blonde (most of the time), easy-going yet verbose scrapbooker seeks strong, bold, colorful and funky patterned paper for long-term, yet vulnerable and intimate love affair. I can’t stay away from a good line that coordinates well with other fun pals, especially “Chip” and “Tag”. I love to be adventurous with stamps and Stickles. Got flowers? If not, no worries, I do! I adhere to few rules and hope you like cutting and tearing it up as much as I do. If you’re ready to dig deep and expose your inner self with me, then you bring the bling and I’ll bring the ribbon and we can meet up for a sticky good time!
Whoops! How did my ScrapperMatch.com bio sneak into this one? Sorry! How embarrassing! Boy, is my face red. Let’s try this again…
Hi, my name is Kai. It’s pronounced K-eye or rhymes with tie, bye, hi, sigh… well, you get the picture. I currently reside in central Ohio, but only under duress. I'd much rather be "home" in western NY state. I started scrapbooking in 1999 after visiting a friend who had just attended a Creative Memories workshop. Looking at her completed page just sent little electrical impulses through me. I realized then that this was what I had been searching for. Prior to this day, I was a “craft nomad”, dabbling in a lot of different crafts. As a child I remember spending hours making my own cards, paper-storybooks, and collaged photo pages in those static-cling albums with hand-cut pieces of paper with journaling or quips on them. But I was never satisfied. I never realized what was missing until that day… when my friend’s scrapbook page opened my mind. I took a class and started to explore my own creativity. Years later, I started working part-time at the LSS where I had taken my first class and remain there today.
After a few years at the LSS, I again grew unhappy and disillusioned with scrapbooking. At this point in time I had only really had time to scrapbook two basic albums, a few gift items and handmade cards. I just felt unfulfilled. What I created didn't feel good enough, or just... enough. I considered quitting until a friend of mine pointed me here to SFTIO. I immediately realized that I had found my new home. Scrapbooking as a form of journaling, therapy, release, catalyst or just to share who I really am inside is where it’s at for me now. I will be forever thankful to Rachel for bringing her vision to life and I am very excited and humbled to be a part of it!
Kai's Blog: Enjoy the Ride Today
Paige Ramos - Creative Coordinator
 Hi! I'm Paige. I live in Peoria, AZ but I was born and raised in NY. I've been married to my hunky husband since 7/2/94 and we have 1 fabulous son and 2 beautiful daughters who have been the benefactors of my scrapbooking thus far. By day I am the Director of Collections for an internet travel consortium; I'm a devoted soccer mom and in my quest to lose 100 lbs, I go to the gym 5 times a week. I organize a monthly crop in my area AND when time allows I throw in a load or 19 of laundry and clean my house. When time doesn't allow, I watch Dancing with the Stars, Boston Legal & General Hospital on my DVR.
When I grow up I want to be a writer. So look for me in a magazine, bookstore, TV or theater near you, sometime in the next 10 years. I'm currently practicing my craft on my blog "The Bumpy Ride." Although my life might sound like that of the average girl next door - trust me, IT'S NOT. The most bizarre (usually comical) things seem to happen to me and I love to write about them and share my insane experiences and observations. PLEASE take a peak...
So why Scrapbooking From The Inside Out? Very simply, I want my children to REALLY know and understand me. I also think it will be a great gift for them to use to learn more about themselves and who they are as a part of our family and as individuals. By Scrapbooking From The Inside Out I will be giving them art and information about their heritage and their history while at the same time sharing with them how very much they are loved and why.
Scrapbooking in general allows me to satisfy the artist in my heart, and the writer in my soul. Endeavoring to do so from the Inside Out will be a challenge and experience that I will treasure and I'm sure you will too.
Paige's Blog: The Bumpy Ride
|
 |
|
