This week the spotlight shines on the mixed-media-scrapbooking talents of Louise Williams.
What three words best describe your personality?
Honest, opinionated, loyal
What’s your worst habit?
Ummm... Probably saying what’s in my head
What are you currently reading?
I’m re-reading Cross-stitch by Diana Gabaldon. Third time through and still loving the series.
Do you have any new years’ resolutions?
Yep! I plan on giving building up my business to a point where I can work as a full time artist
What’s your favourite quote?
She believed she could, so she did
What would be your theme song?
You ain’t seen nothing yet... ;)
Are you on pinterest? What’s your favourite recent pin?
LOVE Pinterest, total addict... Favourite pin of late would be of colour ideas for my new studio
If you could go anywhere (real or not) where would you go?
England. I was born there but emigrated to NZ when I was 2 so would love to see where I was born and where we lived.
How do you feel about garden gnomes?
They affect me deeply. I hate them. We bought a house where the previous owners loved them and we were still finding them in the garden 2 years after we thought we’d cleared them all.
What part of creating do you enjoy most?
I like gluing it all down! I tend to lay everything out and get it all on there before I touch any adhesive.
What sort of photos most make you want to scrap?
Anything I find inspiration in but usually they’re of my two boys
This layout is typical of my work - lots of dimension, clusters of embellishments and some dimensional paint dots for interest. The addition of the punched leaves adds a softness to the flowers and is a consistent feature in my designs.
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I often use a circular feature in my work as it ties all the elements together for a cohesive look. Here I’ve added a digital element - printed and cut out - to add a feature to one of the clusters, while placement next to the heading draws the eye across and down to the other one.
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Share a favourite photo and how you would scrap it.
This photo of my boys is definitely one of my all time favourites. I’ve scrapped it before and have done a mixed media portrait of it too, but I still want to do a framed layout of it. Because it’s quite a light picture the next version will have a textural white background – layers of different white tonings with texture paste and laces.
I’ll no doubt do some clusters of flowers and leaves and would add a hint of green and blue to tie in with the t-shirt colouring. I’d keep it all very light and washed out though and would do a layer of gesso over most of it – a light version of Anna Dabrowska’s style.
Is your dress or decorating style similar to your scrapbooking style?
Yep I’d say it’s similar. I like a mix of modern and vintage, not retro though and despite the fact my house is currently what I like to call ‘circus themed’, I prefer more sedate neutral colours than brights.
When did your style click for you?
When I stopped worrying about acid-free and how thick my pages were, I just went for it adding what I liked and kind of found my groove.
What is your best piece of advice for starting out scrapbookers?
Start with a sketch if you don’t know where to start, they’re great for giving you a base to work from and you know if you like the sketch you’ll like the page that results.
What’s your current favourite scrapbooking trend?
I love the vintage thing so all the lovely little detailled birds are just so me. Loving all the resin elements too, they add so much dimension and detail.
Can you share a few favourite layouts from the last 12 months or so?
Proving you can do pink on a boy's layout, this one remains one of Louise's favourites for the year. The simple structured design, distressed inking and classic circular clusters are typical of her style.
Quite different from what Louise normally does is this layout. Still present though are the small circular touches and a handcut heading, created from the paper she's used. It's a favourite because of it's simplicity and the gorgeous photo of her young son.
And finally…
Facebook or Twitter? Facebook
Harry Potter or Twilight? Twilight all the way... I love me a glittery vampire
Chips or Twisties? Ummm chips – Balsamic Vinegar and Seasalt ones
Bath or Shower? Shower, who has time to sit and soak?
Cheese or Chocolate? Definitely chocolate
Coffee or Tea? Coffee... Tea tastes like dishwater to me
Jeans or Skirts? Jeans. My legs haven’t seen the light of day since 1985.
Christmas or New Years Eve? Christmas :D
Ikea or Op Shop? Op Shop seeing as we don’t have an Ikea here in NZ
Ninjas or Pirates? Pirates. You can thank Johnny Depp for that.
Pool or Ocean? Pool definitely, don’t like wildlife where I swim...
Sunset or Sunrise? Sunset – it means my kids are heading to bed soon.
Phone or Text? Phone if I have to choose but would prefer email over anything else
Desert or Snow? Snow... I find it easier to warm up than cool down
