Focus on Faculty.... Spotlight on Laura Maxwell

Focus on Faculty... Laura Maxwell

1. What Classroom do you Teach at The School of Scrap .com?

Design

2. When did you start scrapbooking and how did you get started?

I started when I was pregnant with my second child. I went to a crop with a friend through my local church mom’s group and I knew instantly this hobby was for me. I was shocked it had eluded my discovery for as long as it had. I had tons of photo albums with my own version of scrapping and I was ready to dive in head first.

3. What do you draw your inspiration from and why? I draw inspiration from so many areas. People, places and things. It could be a feeling or thought, it could be a sunset or color palette, it is the people I love and the story I want to tell. It is the layouts and talent that inspires me. It can even sometimes be the simplest little thing like a shape or a flower.

4. Describe your process for Designing a page.
Sometimes I am inspired by a photo and my LO morphs from it. Other times I get an idea and try to find a photo that symbolizes what I am trying to convey. I match my paper to the pic when I can. I usually pick a solid and 2 or more patterned papers to play with on the page as well.

5. Define your STYLE for us. Hmmmm. . . I guess I would say current but I think everyones idea of that is different.

6. What has been your favorite Scrapbook Trend and why?
My favorite trend has been the non symmetrical free style. Although it is hard for me to do it, I find it challenging and I love to push myself out of my own box. I also love altering!!!!!!!

7. How long does it take you (on average) to complete your page?
Forever! No seriously it just depends on what I am trying to accomplish. I’ve finished a page in as little as 20 minutes or as long as a couple days. I do tend to tweak something as long as it takes to get the look and feel I want. This is something I am trying to change though.

8. Tell us why you Teach the Classroom that you Teach, how did you pick that Class and what draws you to it?
I teach design class because I love the flexibility of design. I love that just about anything we see, touch, and feel can be used as inspiration. For example, a color palette can be extracted from a sunset or a print add or from an article of clothing. I love how the different colors evoke different moods. I love shapes and emotion. The possibilities are truly endless!

9. What do you want the Students in your Class to walk away with when they've completed the Assignment?

I want the students to be challenged to look at the world around them differently. Design inspiration is everywhere! I also want my students to have fun and learn to develop their own style and most of all I want the students to feel good about what they’ve accomplished and know that they’ve grown from having done it.

10. Who do you look up to in the Scrapbooking Industry?

To this day I am still thanking Lisa Bearnson for starting Creating Keepsakes because I truly believe it was this move that catapulted the industry into what it has become today, JMHO. I love Heather Preckel, she is an amazing person, I love Shannon Taylor and Elsie for their artsy creative style, I think I love it all really!

Is there anything else you would like to share with all the students?

I want to encourage everyone to develop their own sense of style. To really let themselves go and not worry about what everyone else is doing because it can hinder their own process and prevent their sense of style from coming to the surface. Everyone is different and remember the pages are ultimately for you and your loved ones so let your own personality shine! There is no wrong way of doing it!