January Guest Designer : Kelly Purkey

We are beyond thrilled to have one of our favorite scrapbookers on board and guest designing for us this month! Kelly Purkey has been a huge inspiration for me with my scrapbooking layouts over the last year I was beyond thrilled when she said she could guest design for us - I couldn't wait to see what she'd do with our tags!

Here's just a tiny peek at two of her amazing layouts - you can check out the rest of her layouts in the Inspiration Gallery!

Kelly took some time to answer some fun questions for us:
name : Kelly Purkey
location : New York City
blog : www.kellypurkey.typepad.com
twitter : kellypurkey

What/who inspires you?
Pinterest has absolutely changed my life.  I am constantly checking the site during the day and pinning or repinning amazing inspiration.  And even when I'm away from my computer, all the ideas have infiltrated my mind and I'll still be thinking about all the great projects or recipes or outfits that I've seen.  It keeps my creativity on its toes - and I love that.

I am always inspired by my fellow design team members at Studio Calico.  This is such an amazing group of women... seeing what they do with the exact same supplies that I'm given each month never fails to blow my mind. There is so much talent on that team and I'm so honored to be a part of it.  They inspire me in so many ways.

Do you record every moment or just special ones?
I don't record every little moment but I am a the type of scrapbooker who likes to document everything - not just special occasions or happy memories.  I try to be authentic - in my life, on my blog, in my layouts - and if that means admitting that I had a bad day or feel sad or am stuck.  It's all part of my life and so it all goes into the scrapbook.

What is your favorite thing about scrapbooking?
My favorite thing about scrapbooking is that besides the layouts and photos I'll have forever, is the friendships that I will have forever.  Recently I had a thought... someday when I get married, the majority of the friends sitting on my side will be scrapbookers.  That is amazing.  This hobby has given me some of the best friends and most supportive people that I am so lucky to have in my life.

What are three facts about you that others might not now?
The only pet I've ever had was a hamster that my friends gave me for my birthday in Jr. High.  Oh and some short lived fish along the way too!
I had my gallbladder removed when I was six years old and have a wicked scar across my stomach.
I can fall asleep anywhere and at anytime of day.  Sleep is my friend.

And now it's time to give away Kelly's favorite Elle's Studio items:

Just leave a comment to be entered to win: Layered Number Cut Outs, Handmade Layers Date and Place Strips, and Handmade Layer Pennants - blank! One comment per person, please. We'll draw the winner this Wednesday, February 1st, 2012.