A little bit about Jessica:
I'm the author of "Outstanding Mini Albums", and
currently writing my next book, "More Outstanding Mini
Albums", both published by F & W Media (Memory Makers
Books). I love creating unique mini albums and projects and
teaching them to others. I've taught classes at scrapbooking
stores, conventions, online and CHA. A couple years ago I
made a life changing decision to follow a dream of becoming
an exotic animal trainer. This meant going back to school
and leaving my family, friends and country. I made the move
from Victoria BC, Canada to Los Angeles, California. Lots
of changes but it was the best thing I ever did. Having recently
graduated from the Exotic Animal Training and Management Program
with 3 degrees, I am now living the life I always dreamed
of. Working with animals by day, scrapbooking at night! I
met a wonderful guy while I was going to school, who happened
to be in my class and loves animals as much as I do. We got
married a few months ago and we are now living in Chicago,
both of us are working at a small zoo. I miss Canada a lot
though and one day we plan to move to BC. Now that I've lived
in other places, I have realized that there is no place like
Victoria - it truly is one of the most beautiful places. If
you'd like to see more of my projects/mini albums or read
about my many adventures, you can visit my blog: www.jessicaacs.com.
What do you like about Bisous PDQ products?
I've never been one to make a lot of 12 x 12 layouts.
I think the huge amount of space just intimidated me! That's
one of the reasons I started doing mini albums then I got
so addicted to making them that I never made anything else.
After being introduced to Bisous' PDQ pages, I'm hooked!!!
I can make 12 x 12 pages so quick and they look like I spent
a lot of time on them. I also love the styles of them: cute,
funky, gorgeous, fun...they work with all different themes
and they totally fit my own style. The chip shapes are amazing
too - fun shapes and designs in all different colors and patterns
- so awesome!
How long have you been scrapbooking and what made
you start?
I have been scrapbooking for almost 15 years now. I started
after I saw a scrapbook that my sister made for my mom. It
was so awesome, it just inspired me to start creating. My
first major scrapbook was one I made for my Grandma for her
80th birthday. I started with photos and mementos from when
she was a baby up through her entire life. I even had a copy
of her marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc. There
were so many pages in it! She loved it though so that's all
that matters :)
What is your favorite thing about scrapbooking and
crafting?
I just love to create and let my imagination take over. It's
always fun looking back on things later too. I love looking
back at photos and seeing them in a scrapbook makes them a
little more fun.
What
inspires you to create?
I
find inspiration everywhere. It could be in a magazine, something
I see on a poster or sign, something on tv, or even something
I hear on the radio can inspire me. I get ideas for mini books
all the time, so I usually have all kinds of little notes
in my iphone to remind me!
Do you have any tips
to pass along so people can create more efficiently?
I try to work on one project at a time but I have a notebook
of all kinds of projects that I want to create. I write down
as much info as I can, usually an outline of what pages I
want to be in the mini book, journaling, etc. It does usually
change somewhat once I'm actually putting the book together
but it acts as a good guideline. Then I start with a clean
desk, get my essentials out (paper trimmer, adhesive, scissors,
inks) and choose the papers I want to use. I keep a little
pail on my desk to throw in scraps and garbage - I find it
helps to clean up as I go.
Do you craft standing up or sitting down and why?
I have always scrapped sitting down. I usually sit at my desk
or sometimes I'll sit at the kitchen table. I work best when
it's quiet so I try to sit at my desk and close the door to
my scraproom so no animals can come distract me. We have a
lot of pets! Dogs, rabbit, guinea pigs, rats, chipmunks, hedgehog,
parrots, reptiles.... it's a zoo here! I love them all dearly
but if I want to get actual scrapping done, I need to do it
in peace.
Do you watch TV or listen to anything while crafting?
Usually I prefer silence cause it's really the only
time I ever get complete silence :) Sometimes I'll take my
stuff and go work in the living room so I can watch a movie
or I'll play music on my computer and listen to that.
What is your favorite craftin' snack?
I actually never eat or drink anything while scrappin'. I
don't know why, I just never have! Kinda odd cause I love
food. It's probably a good thing though cause I'm a bit of
clutz so I would probably just spill stuff all over the paper.