Designer Spotlight: Paige Evans

Hey all! My name is Paige Taylor Evans. I just recently moved to sunny South Pasadena, CA from Provo, UT because the love of my life, my husband Chris of almost three years come May 8th, is attending USC School of Dentistry class of 2013. I graduated from BYU with a BA in Art Education in 2007 where they taught me to be well-rounded in most art forms. I like painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramics, basket weaving, and especially bookbinding. And of course, I love to scrap! I got a sewing machine for Christmas, but I don’t know how to sew - I just use it for scrapbooking. My day isn’t complete unless I’ve made something!


Why do you scrapbook and how did you get started?
Here’s the long version:

Once upon I time I turned 16 any my parents decided it was time for me to get a job. So one afternoon my mom and I hopped in the car and drove to Sammamish where I went to high school because it would be ideal to work so close to school. Our first stop was Bartell's drug store. I asked for an application and we left. Nothing else really seemed appealing on the plateau so we headed to Redmond. We walked into Confetti Junction (a really cool party supply store) and picked up another application. Then, just on a whim, we walked into the little store called Yesterday's Scrapbooking and Stuff. They didn't even have any applications, they just took down my name and phone number. Our last stop was Hallmark and I picked up another application. I interviewed at Confetti Junction but since I couldn't work on Saturdays, they wouldn't offer me a job. Oh well, I guess it wasn't meant to be. Hallmark called to set up an interview, but that fell through. Again, not meant to be. Then out of the blue, Yesterday's called and set up an interview. I remember going into the office to interview with one of the sweet owners. We had a lot in common and it went great. It was meant to be. A few days later I started working at Yesterday's Scrapbooking & Stuff. I remember my very first purchase was a pack of glitter pens. I think I still have them somewhere even though they're all dried up and useless, but they're sentimental. It turns out that scrapbooking was more fun than I could have ever imagined. I love pictures, I love working with my hands, I love making things - put it all together and you've got the best hobby in the world – scrapbooking!

Since then I’ve worked at Pebbles In My Pocket, Archiver’s, a Product Designer/In-House Scrapbooker at American Crafts, and I’m still on the Editorial Staff of Northridge Media (they publish Scrapbook Trends, CARDS, Simply Handmade, Bead Trends, and a bi-monthly idea book series called Create.) Basically, if it weren't for that fateful day when a lady at Yesterday's took down my name and number, I don't know what my life would be like now. Ever since then my life has pretty much revolved around scrapbooking.

Who inspires you?
I see so much inspiration every day I don’t know where to begin with this question! I subscribe to 296 blogs via Google Reader and spend at least an hour every day surfing through them, so I get a lot of my inspiration there. Also, one of my tasks at Northridge Media is sorting submission emails so I get to see the latest and greatest creations of woman around the world on a daily basis. I probably see about 50-100 layouts a day that are just so beautiful and inspiring. And finally, if we’re talkin’ whose style inspires me personally, I’d have to say Heidi Sonboul and Cheryl Manz. They always use such bright and fun colors and I love the way they use embellishments.

What is your favorite color combo?
I like aqua, leaf green, sunshine yellow, and taffy pink. But ask me again tomorrow and it’ll probably be something completely different!

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply:
My favorite scrapbooking supply has to be buttons. When I think I’m all done with a layout, I stand back, stare at it for a few minutes, then sprinkle on a few buttons and call it good.
Do you record every moment or just special ones?
I’m more of an “ooooh, this picture would be great with that paper!” kind of scrapbooker. I use my blog to record daily events and scrapbooking is a way for me to document my most favorite photos and memories.

What is your favorite thing about scrapbooking?
I love the hands on-ness of scrapbooking. I love making new friends through scrapbooking. I love sitting down with only a photo and all the creative thoughts that rush through my head when I’m about to scrapbook. I love flipping through my scrapbooks and re-living precious memories. I love showing other people my scrapbooks and getting their feedback and praise. I love all the new product that gets released every year – what will they think of next? I just love scrapbooking. The end.

Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Paige! We loved hearing your story, the super cute and inspiring layouts you created and seeing your scrap space! We feel so blessed to have you apart of our design team!