SISTER Sunday - May 12th HELEN

Hi... I am Helen.. I am married to George for almost 27 years now.. holy cow!! Who would have thought!! LOL! I have 2 sons, George Andrew who is 22 and has his own furniture business and then Stuart, who is 18 and will be starting University this fall studying Mathematics. I also have a little girl.. Sasha… my bichon, who is 12 and she runs the household! I have been scrapping for forever, and recently have been art journaling, but I am feeling that scrapping bug so you may start seeing more layouts!

I have been at SOS since June of 2009 and started as a DT member here. After Carla’s 2 real sisters left she asked if I could help out and after 25604 posts, I am still here!! LOL!!! I love my home away from home here!


Who/What inspired you to start scrapbooking?

I basically started scrapbooking 22 years ago when my ds as born. I just stuck pictures down with a couple of stickers and that was that. About 12 years ago, a friend of mine took me to the neighborhood association where they were having a night of bring your crafts. About 6 ladies were there and scrapbooking, and I was introduced to the world of embellishments!!! LOL!! Been hooked ever since!!

Does anyone in your family also scrap?

Nope.. just me. My Mom actually scrapbooked a scrapbook I have of me from 53 years ago… I will take a photo to share…

What size do you normally scrap?

Normally 12 x 12, but I do swing other ways too! LOL!!

How many hours a week do you scrap?

I usually play in my scraproom at least one hour a day, sometimes more.. but I always try to do a bit everyday.. wheter it be scrapping or art journaling.

What is one thing you always find yourself reaching for when creating a layout?

My DMC floss.. I usually always stitch something somewhere on a page.

Describe your scrapping style in just three words.

Weird, wonky, and usually not using photos of family!! LOL!!! Not sure how I would describe it.. sometimes clean and linear, sometimes grungy.. depends on my mood!

Tell us about your favorite layout you have ever completed?



This is one of my faves from this year… I love the photo of the books and the strips of paper and the cluster of embellishments….. I do a few faves from years back.. but this is mine from this year.



This is my fave art journal page this year… (self explanatory!)


What do you love the most about scrapping?

The shopping!! !LOL!!! Actually, I love the “organizing” of my stuff just in general and also love to “find” that just right thing for a project.

What do you dislike the most about scrapbooking?

I dislike the fact that I have no “new” photos of my boys to scrap. They both hate their photos taken and I am tired of scrapping them when they are little. So I scrap things I find and like, and am just waiting for the grandkids to start scrapping those… but that won’t be for a few years!! LOL!!!

What topic do you find the most difficult to scrap?

Baby photos or wedding photos.. have never done either of these.

Have you ever taught a scrapbooking class?

I taugh an art journaling class a few months ago… and discovered I am not a teacher! LOL!!! I found it very frustrating for some reason. I also taught a group of women to scrap at a neighborhood association a year ago and enjoyed that because it was just playing.. nothing too formal.

Have you ever been published?

Nope.. never thought I was good enough.

What type of camera do you use?

A Nikon D60, but not near enough!

What would be your perfect day?

Having the whole house to myself, turning up the tunes really loud, and playing in my scrappy space…. Not having to worry about what to feed anyone!!

I can't imagine my life without ...

My family or my scrapbooking / art journaling.

Favorite Snack:

Dorities Cool Ranch!

Favorite Drink:

Starbucks Refresh Tea Mistro with one pump of Mocha! Yummmm…

Favorite Paper:

I prefer Prima and Websters I like most of October Afternoons, and really liking Amy Tangerine’s from American Crafts.

Favorite Technique:

Using my molding paste! Love the dimension!

Favorite Embellishment:

Hmmmm….. probably Thickers… definitely not Dead People Buttons!!! LOL!!

Favorite Scrap Tool:

My poker thingy!!!

Favorite Adhesive:

Tombow Mono Liquid adhesive!

I use that s*** on everything! LOL!!! Happy Scrappin!!

LOL! I love the last line!!!!

Poker thingy - love it too! So what is it actually called? Anyone?

Loved learning more about you Helen! I think the poker thingy is called a paper piercer - but you know, whatever works lol!!

It was nice to get to know you better Helen!

Loved reading about you, Helen! And you could DEFINITELY be published!!

Nice learn more about your life, Helen!!!

Loved reading more about you Helen!! My pokey tool is my favourite too.. I use it on pretty much every project I tackle!!

And yes, you are definitely talented enough to be published!!

LOL!! Thanks ladies!

Loved reading all the info about you Helen. You're an interesting lady for sure. Love the art journaling you do too.

Thanks Pam.. I am not that interesting! LOL!!! Ask my boys! LOL!!

Well, of course you aren't interesting to them Helen, but the frontal lobe of their brain isn't done developing yet so what do they know!?! LOL!!

ROFLMBO!! Hilarious Stephanie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So true! So true!

Good one, Stephanie!!

it's great reading more about you Helen . wish I had one of those poker thingies, would save me using a thumb tack when I try to put my brads on pages...might have to research around here for one.

I used a thumbtack for a long time before finding a "pokey thing"

well I best find me a pokey thing....

Thanks Kerri... I don't think I could mail a pokey thing to you... I think they may think it a weapon, not an essential craft tool! LOL!

well that just sucks then lol...saw this & thought HELEN & DPB !!!

Oh my gosh... That is definitely nightmare mAterial!!! LOL!

Nightmares, schmite-mares.... how in the heck do you SEW on that thing?!?

KerriNZ wrote:

well that just sucks then lol...saw this & thought HELEN & DPB !!!

Lol!! That's hilarious!

For the new sisters, Helen has a phobia about Dead People Buttons (buttons from old clothing)

Thanks Carla.. telling my secrets! LOL!!!

Well it's such a crazy phobia Helen, we have to tell them so they don't think we are all mental! Lol!!