Our Featured Designers for December are: InspiredbyDominic and JayaPrem’s Hangout. We are so excited to have them do our weekly download that we asked them some questions so we can get to know them better!

InspiredbyDominic

1.What is the name of the designer responsible for the creative designs of Inspiredbydominic? Tiffany

2. Where do you live? Ohio, U.S.A

3. Tell us about yourself, your family, etc.
I am married to my amazing husband John who supports everything I do, regardless of the sometimes long hours.  We have two wonderful though sometimes very dramatic children.  Dominic is 4 and a half and Jamie is almost a year old.  I am currently in school working to finish a Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education and I am also teaching preschool children part-time.

4. When and how did you become involved in Digital Scrap Design?
I started first as a paper scrapper off and on before my children were born.  After Dom came in May of 2005 I was introduced to digital scrapbooking and I have been hooked ever since.  My first design was to create an ocean-like alpha that I needed for a layout, but could not find.  After creating my own items for a few months, over a year ago I was offered a spot in my first store.  The rest is history as they say.

5. Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration definitely comes mostly from watching my children.  I created Jamie’s Rainbow after seeing my Jams in an adorable sleeper when he was a newborn.  Dominic’s Music Box and Glitzy Gardens are both inspired by two of Dom’s favorite things, music and plants.  I’m working on a new kit called Under the Sea Jamboree, a birthday kit with a sea theme for Jamie’s first. If I get really stuck on something or develop designers block I take the boys to Target and I always leave with an idea even if it’s just a color that struck my fancy.

6. Which of your designs is your “all time” favorite?
Currently my all-time favorites are the Hop Right To It and Storybook Slumber.

7. Tell us 10 things that would surprise us about you.

1. I can read a full novel in about 3 hours.
2. Due to that I read about 3 books per week sometimes more.
3. I graduated with an Associate’s in early childhood education in June with a 4.0.
4. I am completely tone-deaf.  Really it’s sad, lol.
5. My husband is a musician at night, web designer and programmer by day.
6. Before going back to school I was a project manager for a marketing company.
7. I was highly allergic to poison ivy to the point of getting it in the middle of winter until I turned 11.  I have not had it since then.
8. I am absolutely terrified of spiders to the point that I sometimes have nightmares and cannot go back to sleep.
9. I used to write book reviews for a small local paper.
10. I can hyper-extend my elbows naturally, I did not realize that everyone’s elbows did not bend that way until I was in high school.

8. Who are a few of your favorite designers and why?
Heather Manning – She always has something fun, new, and different.  I love working with her things.
Microferk – Her style is amazing and she has a great personality to match!

9. Where (type of set up or place in your home, etc.) and When (time of day, weekends, etc.)do you design?
I used to be a couch designer with my laptop on my lap.  Recently however, my wonderful husband got me a new desk and set me up in our livingroom with my scanner, printer, tablet, and mybook within quick and easy reach.  This has definitely made designing easier, especially drawing with my tablet.

I do most of my designing in the evenings and and on weekends when my husband is home to help with the kids or when they are in bed.  However, occasionally I get that rare moment where they both nap together or my 4-year-old is engrossed in a project (where I can see him of course, there is nothing scarier than a quiet 4-year-old out of eyesight) and the baby naps at the same time.  I can usually get a few things done then.

10. Name 3 things that you like to do in your spare time (hobbies, interests, etc.)
I paint/sculpt, read, and watch horror movies.

JayaPrem’s Hangout

1.What is the name of the designer responsible for the creative designs of JayaPrem’s Hangout? Jaya Prem

2. Where do you live? California, U.S.A

3. Tell us about yourself, your family, etc.
I am married to my wonderful husband Prem, who sometimes supports what I do  We have a little monster Harish, who is 3 yrs old, who thinks he can do anything and get away with it just by shedding some tears lol.   I am a stay at home mom right now, but used to work as a Medical Transcriptionist before my marriage and coming here to USA.

4. When and how did you become involved in Digital Scrap Design?
I was searching online for some store near me for traditional scrapping supplies, when I stumbled upon a digital scrapping site.  It was so interesting to see everything made digitally.  I started lurking around that site for a few days, when I realized that in digital, if I mess up I can always “undo” and can reuse all the digital stuff again and again.  That is it, I got hooked instantly and never have looked back to traditional paper scrapping.  But, recently I do have some interest in hybrid scrapping, which I am yet to learn.  Hopefully soon enough.  Then I joined my first CT team for a designer after a year of scrapping on my own, who then opened a store, where in one of the challenges we were to create a mini kit.  When I completed everyone was praising and said I should start designing and I did and I am here right now.

5. Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes from varied source, mainly from my son.  I created Boys Will Be Boys after seeing my son Harish playing with his trucks and rockets.  Windswept was created when I fell in love with that single shade of blue.  Garden party was created for my love of gardening (though I don’t have a garden here as we live in Apartment & are not allowed to have on.).  I usually browse around some paper companies, Walmart, and Target.  Sometimes, something catches my eyes and builds into a kit.

6. Which of your designs is your “all time” favorite?
Currently my all-time favorites are the separated pieces of my Nov Personal use Grab Bag, Windswept, Garden Party and Daybreak.

7. Tell us 10 things that would surprise us about you.

1. I only know these many.  Sorry!
2. My big toe on both feet are not straight, they are almost at a 30 degree angle
3. I really have very bad temper. I could easily be made angry.
4. I also have a great memory power.  I still remember incidents that happened in my childhood days.
5. I dont know to swim!!!
6. I am very punctual in doing everything!!! I got this from my grandfather and my dad.
7. Before getting married, I was working for 3 years transcribing medical reports as a Medical Transcriptionist
8. I know four different language including my native one.
9. I am afraid of cats (I know very dumb) becos of a childhood incident.

8. Who are a few of your favorite designers and why?
Inspiredbydominic Designs – I love her kits as it always has something that is related her kids interest and love her style.  I love her commercial use stuff, which I use mostly. Ohh she is FANTASTIC designer and my good friend.

Randi Oh – I love her style and the hard work she puts into her kits.  She is amazing designer and a very sweet person.

9. Where (type of set up or place in your home, etc.) and When (time of day, weekends, etc.)do you design?
Right now I am a couch designer with my laptop on my lap.  But, before I had desk or I still do, which I now use only to scan things.  Sitting on the couch and watching pre-recorded program makes it easier for me to design.

I do most of my designing in the nights when both my husband and son are asleep.  If my son naps during the daytime for a long time, I will try to work, but that time is mostly gone in cleaning up the mess he had made.  Weekends don’t work for me for a lot of time as that is the only time we get to go out as a family and my husband doesn’t like me using that time to design or browse, which I totally agree with him.

10. Name 3 things that you like to do in your spare time (hobbies, interests, etc.)
Spare time?? What is that?? LOL!! My son keeps me on my toes all the time when he is awake so the only spare time I get is when he naps or he is alseep at night, when I do my designing.  But, if I were to have spare time the things I would like to do is Read, watch crime shows and listen to music.

3 Responses to “Featured Designers {December}”