The Reluctant Scrapper

I’m Janis, the Scrapstreet crewmember from Manila, Philippines and passionate wife to JE, playful mommy to Nat (4 years old) and Phil (3 years old). I started scrapbooking in April 2008 and have never looked back since. I so love the fact that it allows me to document the memories I hold most dear and the lessons I learn in life - - I know I am forever hooked on this hobby now turned way of life.

Prior to being introduced to scrapbooking by my sister (she bullied me into going with her to a crop with her friends!), I didn’t really consider myself crafty - - I must confess that I have been nerdy all my life. I graduated Valedictorian in high school, Cum Laude in college (with degrees in Economics and Accountancy), and placed 9th in the national Certified Public Accountant licensure examination in May 1999. I was mostly interested in reading and studying and solving problems given my background. Leave me with my laptop and my calculator - - number crunching is what I do best. Being creative came as a pleasant surprise as I have always thought that I am more left-brained.

I am currently a Senior Manager doing consultancy work in one of the biggest accounting firms in my country. I have been in public accounting my entire professional career and I admit that this explains a major part why I call myself reluctant. In the business world where everything should be strictly professional, I hold back and just focus on the obviousness of my art. Look closely, read my journaling and you can see that I’m a bare-it-all soul.

An All-Consuming Passion by Janis G. Medina-Maghinay

Supplies: Paper: Crate Paper, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Sticker: Reminisce, Chipboards: Fancy Pants, Conchos: All About Scrapbooking, Crystals: Prima Marketing, Buttons: BasicGrey, Brads: Making Memories, Pens: Uni-ball, Tombow, Ink: Clearsnap, Other: thread, bling, organizer paper.

Design Notes: This layout was made for All About Me’s “Turning Point in Your Life” Challenge. I used the layout sketch designed by Scrapsketch exclusively for All About Me for its October 2009 challenges.

Journaling: Life never was the same when I started scrapping in April 2008. I'm a number person - - I have Economics and Accounting as my backgrounds - - so I myself was kinda surprised by my artistic/creative side. Scrapbooking allowed me to celebrate memories I hold most dear and document and share life's lessons. It is a turning point for me and now definitely an all-consuming passion.

Laptop by Janis G. Medina-Maghinay

Supplies: Papers: 7Gypsies, Jillibean Soup, Chipboard: Rusty Pickle, All About Scrapbooking, Heidi Swapp, Specialty Ink: Tattered Angels, Other: gesso, rbbon, staples, thread, brads.

Design Notes: The journaling is hidden on the tag behind the photo. I mixed up left over chipboard alphabets for my title. I also used my crochet thread for the border or outline of my photo.

Journaling (hidden): I find myself at the crossroads of my professional career, with make or break changes that I have to deal with. I guess it's gonna be you and me, buddy, holding tight in the next months. Let's see where the ride will take us.

Mine by Janis G. Medina-Maghinay

Supplies: Paper: October Afternoon, Cardstock: Die Cuts With a View, Bazzill Basics Paper, Chipboards: Scenic Route, Cosmo Cricket, Brads: Making Memories, Sticker: Scenic Route, Journal Spot: Maya Road, Ink: Tsukineko, Clearsnap, Paper Clip: Simple Joys, Die-Cut: Cuttlebug, Other: buttons, stamp, wire, thread.

Design Notes: My kids are my most favorite subjects in my layouts. When I find myself losing my scrapping mojo, I get a picture of them and scrap with negative space. That helps me not feel pressured in filling up the entire page. On this layout, I used a red soft pastel on my background and just smudged the doodlings with my fingers. A lot of looping was done here - - with the crochet threads on the brads and with the craft wire on the chipboard alphabets.

Journaling: I call them mine.