April Guest Designer - Chris Penaflor

1. A little about Chris: I'm a stay-at-home-mom to five children, and have been married to my high school sweetheart for 18 years. I grew up in San Diego after moving here from the Philippines with my family when I was two. I began papercrafting after being introduced to rubber stamping by a relative about five years ago. One of my first scrapbooking layouts was created for a stamping call from Memory Makers Books. I gave it a try, and it was published in their stamping idea book. After going to a local scrapbooking store and seeing all of the patterned papers available, I stopped stamping my own backgrounds and started scrapbooking with all the pretty papers! Now I am an official patterned paper, Prima flower, and ribbon and lace hoarder, and couldn't be happier! :-D

2. Contests Won/Publications
I have been published in Memory Makers, Memory Makers Stamping Idea Book, Scrapbook Trends, CARDS, Simply Handmade (formerly Paper Crafts), the Stamping Idea Book (by Scrapbook Trends), You're Invited Idea Book (by Scrapbook Trends).

3. One product you can't live without
I would have to say it's a tie between my Tonic guillotine paper trimmer and my 3M ATG adhesive gun. I use these tools everytime I create a project, and couldn't be without either of them!

4. When are you most creative and why?
I'm most creative in the late night hours. It's the time that I usually have all to myself after having spent the evening with my husband and putting our children to bed. It's also the most quite time of the day in our house!

5. Any other hobbies besides scrapbooking?
I love to ribbon embroider, but haven't had much time to do that much lately. I also enjoy reading non-fiction books that encourage a closer relationship with God.

6. Describe your scrapbook style
I have an eclectic style which depends upon the materials with which I'm working. However, I usually gravitate towards elegant, classic styles with lots of floral, glitter, and bling-y accents.

7. Messy scrapper or organized room?
Definitely messy! I love having a variety of materials and supplies around me when I create. Unfortunately, I also end up creating a messy environment when I'm done!

8. If you could be anywhere right now?
On a Mediterranean cruise with my husband finally being able to visit places like Venice, Rome, Nice, and Barcelona.

9. 3 Random Things about you
1. Except for a year when I taught at a private school, I have not worked outside of our home since our oldest child was four months old!2. If I had a choice to live anywhere, I would choose to have a home in the mountains near a lake. Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of living off the land so there would have to be a grocery store nearby or a way for me to order things online and have them delievered to me! LOL!3. I cry easily when I watch touching movies, and my kids know that I need to have tissues nearby when watching them!

You can see more of Chris' work in her gallery here at the Stash or on her blog.
Blog
Gallery
Chris is also lucky enough to own her very own Scrapbook Retreat house!
Scrap Retreat House