Queen of the Day 4/9: Mona Minnie/Scraptures

[InLoveWithDOTS]

On this sunny Monday morning, I am thrilled to crown a new Queen of the Day...
Mona Minnie of Scraptures!
Store Link: http://www.scraptures.com/
Blog Link: No blog at this time
Gallery Link: No gallery at this time

Mona, Help us get to know you by answering these 5 random questions!
1. Aside from scrapbooking, what creative outlets do you have?
2. Describe your dream vacation.
3. What is your favorite snack?
4. Share your most embarassing moment.
5. Who is YOUR favorite designer right now?

Feel free to post ANY questions you have for Mona and leave her some queen style lovin!

[Amanda Heimann (aggiefamily)]

Congrats! Can't wait to see your answers!

[ccmentor]

Congrats Mona, I am excited to see your answers. I also have a question for you. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

[Darcy Baldwin]

Woohoo, Mona!! Congratulations!!!

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

Thank you! This is one special day! :) I'll be out for a bit but here are the answers to some of the questions!

1. Aside from scrapbooking, what creative outlets do you have? Years ago I did cake decorating! Now I enjoy crocheting, sewing, and gardening. On the computer, other than scrapping I enjoy web design and photo restorations.

2. Describe your dream vacation. My dream vacation would be a week at a cabin in the woods. I enjoy taking walks in the woods and listening to the sounds of nature. DH is just the opposite. He would say anything to do with the water!

3. What is your favorite snack? My favorite healthy snack is almonds. My favorite unhealthy snack is nachos or anything crunchy and salty!

4. Share your most embarassing moment. It was in Kindergarten! I was walking to school and saw some flowers growing on the side of a neighbors house. I stopped to pick them to bring to my teacher. When I came home the neighbor was there with my mom. I hadn't even thought I had done anything wrong! I remember feeling so bad after that!

5. Who is YOUR favorite designer right now? There are so many great designers that I admire. My favorite designer though is Miki Ferkul. I love the depth and richness of her designs. I think she does amazing work!

[Lady Jane]

A fellow crochet lover.. what are your favorite things to crochet?

What colors don't you like to create kits from (or find a hard time creating with)?

[Paris Designs]

Congratulations!! What a great surprise!!
What do you get your inspiration from?

How do you choose your color schemes?

[ljcrochet]

Congratulations!

I was wondering what was your favorite kit to create and why?
What was your least favorite kit?

[Yen]

Congrats!!! Love the Q&A! :)

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

Congrats Mona- I love your designs~very rich and awesome details~
and inagine my surprise to read your repsonses and you rmost gernrous and awesome wrods about my work to. <<Mwah>> You've really made MY day Mona! You're a true Queen!

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Hi Linda,

There are a variety of sources that I draw my inspiration from. It can be my feelings at the time, an inspirational piece of art, or a photograph. Most times I am inspired by nature and my surroundings. If I get stuck or have a creative block I find a good walk outdoors really helps!

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

A fellow crochet lover.. what are your favorite things to crochet?
That's easy! I love to crochet afghans because they keep me warm while I crochet! I get so cold in the winter here in Michigan.

What colors don't you like to create kits from (or find a hard time creating with)?
I like all colors really but I find it hard to work with really bright colors because they end up competing too much with my photos on a layout. Hot Pink or other highly saturated colors would be hard for me to work with.

[Sherry_in_AL]

Congratulations Mona!! A great pick, indeed! You know how much I love your work, and have since I discovered digiscrapping almost 2 years ago. Love getting to know more about you here, and seeing the Q&A going on.

What program do you design with? Why? Have you used others? What element do you find is the hardest one to design? (and whatever it is, it may be hard but I sure can't find any of your elements that are not just perfect!!) You have such a great talent for designing - each kit is fresh and different! No cookie-cutter kits from you -- I always know that what I buy will be unique and beautiful!

Have a great week!

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

Here's something special for DST members. For today and tomorrow you can use coupon code DST-ROYAL in my store to take 25% off your order at Scraptures! My newest page set is intro priced today for 20% off already so you could save 40%!
ETA: Intro Sale and Coupon extended through 4/12!

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

Thanks everyone!!

What do you get your inspiration from?
When I think about each of the kits I've done over the years each one was inspired by something special in my life. Heritage Memories was inspired by some old artifacts from my own heritage; Summer's End was inspired by a beachside photograph taken in Florida; Wildflowers from a field of flowers on a June day in Traverse City; and a retired kit, Rustic Shores inspired by other photos taken in Traverse City. I could go on and on but you get the idea! LOL!

How do you choose your color schemes?
I choose many of my color schemes from the photographs I take or sometimes from catalogs. If you really want to know the truth I've been known to take photos of people just because of what they are wearing!! I never go anywhere without my camera! ;)

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

I was wondering what was your favorite kit to create and why?
Gosh, that is a tough one to answer. Each one holds a special place in my heart! My favorite kit to create was Season of Color because of how versatile it ended up being for my customers. It was created as a holiday page kit but I've seen it used for all kinds of layouts (http://www.scraptures.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=search&cat=0&page=1)! http://www.scraptures.com/store/images/medium/SeasonColor_MED.jpg (http://www.scraptures.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_13_16&products_id=50)
A close second would be Fruity Fresh because it was just fun to create! Of my retired kits I'll always consider Rustic Shores and Floral Bouquet favorites.
http://www.scraptures.com/store/images/medium/FruityFresh_MED.jpg (http://www.scraptures.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=12_15&products_id=3)
What was your least favorite kit?
This would have to be my Baby Soft Collection. Even though it sold well I never felt I had the colors right with it. In the end it didn't seem to have enough contrast.

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

Congrats Mona- I love your designs~very rich and awesome details~

Wow! Thank you for such a nice compliment Miki! :)

[Theresa Hernandez]

Whoohooo, Mona!! It's cool to get to know a little more about you.

[Paris Designs]

Thanks everyone!!


When I think about each of the kits I've done over the years each one was inspired by something special in my life. Heritage Memories was inspired by some old artifacts from my own heritage; Summer's End was inspired by a beachside photograph taken in Florida; Wildflowers from a field of flowers on a June day in Traverse City; and a retired kit, Rustic Shores inspired by other photos taken in Traverse City. I could go on and on but you get the idea! LOL!


I choose many of my color schemes from the photographs I take or sometimes from catalogs. If you really want to know the truth I've been known to take photos of people just because of what they are wearing!! I never go anywhere without my camera! ;)

I am very happy for you and proud to be on your team! :yahooAgain, congratulations! Love working with your kits!!

Regarding where you get your ideas from, I had better be careful of what I wear around Traverse City (part of my stomping grounds when we come back in the summers) in case you happen to be around with your camera!!:eek LOL How fun is that!!

Another question or two... how far in advance do you work on kits before actually putting them in the store?

Do you have lots of ideas floating around before you actually make kits from those ideas or just kind of work on one idea at a time?

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

Congratulations Mona!! A great pick, indeed! You know how much I love your work, and have since I discovered digiscrapping almost 2 years ago.
What a nice compliment! I'm so happy that you enjoy my work! It is enthusiasm like yours that keeps us designers designing! :)

What program do you design with? Why? Have you used others?
Until recently I used Photoimpact to design most of my work because of ease of use. The program is great because it doesn't get in your way and most processes take fewer steps to accomplish than in Photoshop. I highly recommend it for beginners. It does have it's limitations though which is why I also use Photoshop CS2 for some of my design work. Photoshop is great for brush work, digital manipulation and post processing work! I've used Paint Shop Pro and Photoshop Elements but don't use them as often as PI and PSCS2.
What element do you find is the hardest one to design?
My puffy foil stickers take quite awhile to do although they are not hard, just time consuming! The rose in Linen Rose took better than four hours to create! The hardest thing for me to design is actually the backgrounds. I love doing elements but backgrounds don't come as easy for me.
I always know that what I buy will be unique and beautiful! Wow Sherry! Thank you!!:)

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

Whoohooo, Mona!! It's cool to get to know a little more about you.
:) It is really nice to have this thread to share with others! I've been absent from the boards lately. I needed to care for my parents when they both became ill over the holidays. I look forward to getting to know more about everyone else too!

[Microferk ~ Miki Ferkul]

Thanks everyone!!


When I think about each of the kits I've done over the years each one was inspired by something special in my life. Heritage Memories was inspired by some old artifacts from my own heritage; Summer's End was inspired by a beachside photograph taken in Florida; Wildflowers from a field of flowers on a June day in Traverse City; and a retired kit, Rustic Shores inspired by other photos taken in Traverse City. I could go on and on but you get the idea! LOL!


I choose many of my color schemes from the photographs I take or sometimes from catalogs. If you really want to know the truth I've been known to take photos of people just because of what they are wearing!! I never go anywhere without my camera! ;)

We use a lot of common inspirations Mona!

[Ripal]

Congrats Mona!!! So good to get to know you better! How are your parents doing now?

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

I am very happy for you and proud to be on your team!
Thanks Pat! I love the layouts you create with my designs!

Regarding where you get your ideas from, I had better be careful of what I wear around Traverse City (part of my stomping grounds when we come back in the summers) in case you happen to be around with your camera!!:eek LOL How fun is that!!
OMG that is too funny! DH and I went there a few summers ago and absolutely loved it! We stayed right on Grand Traverse Bay!


how far in advance do you work on kits before actually putting them in the store?
Usually a kit will take me a week or more to do because my design time is limited as I work full time outside the home. I also do photo restorations for clients that can take me away from my design time. Because of this many kits are started weeks before they end up in the store because I can only work on them in the evening and on weekends. I always start with the background papers and after that I can create the elements fairly quick after that. There was a time when I would stay up through the night to create and I will still do that if I'm on a roll. I've been much better about taking care of myself lately though so it is rare for me to do an all-nighter anymore. :)

Do you have lots of ideas floating around before you actually make kits from those ideas or just kind of work on one idea at a time?
I do have many ideas for kits! Some of these are a work-in-progress and others are just ideas in my head. I have a pet kit in the works (our puppy is now 15 months old and 140 pounds and I had the idea for the kit when I could still hold him in my arms!) That is probably the worst case of procrastination I've had. :blush I would love to do another baby kit, a birthday kit, and kits for hobbies!

[gingerandjake]

Congrats Mona!

[Scraptures ~ Mona Minnie]

How are your parents doing now?
As well as can be expected. It sure is hard seeing your parents grow older!