New to You is designed to help you discover designers you might not know. Every month we select a designer, showcase layouts from one of their kits, and introduce you to their style. In addition, the designer provides a free add-on kit just for you, our readers! You never know, you might discover a new favorite or two!
This month, let’s meet Elena of A-Liya Designs.
DST: Tell us about yourself and your family.
A-liya: My name is Elena Manchukovskaya. I am 34 years old and I live in Moscow with my family. Here in Russia when we start to study English, one of the most popular phrases is, “My family is very big” or “My family is not so big.” Thus, my family is not very big. I am wife of my beloved husband, Andrey, and mother of six-year-old daughter Nastya. I can tell you many remarkable things about Nastya, as each mom can about her children, and the most important thing about Nastya is that she is one of a kind and I love my little girl with all my heart. We like to play board games like Dominion, Munchkin, Carcassonne, Dixit, etc., and take long walks in the wood. My husband and daughter like to go rollerskating while I take pictures of them and we like to travel.
A-liya: Oh, actually it’s something inside of me. When I don’t work on a project several days in a row, I feel a dissatisfaction, something disturbs me. And, suddenly I hear words from a song, or I take the picture of my daughter on walk, or I read about wonderful travel, or I see a beautiful flower… Oh, it seems like any trifle can give me inspiration to create kits.
DST: What do you like to do for hobbies?
A-liya: Design is my passion! I want to spend each free minute at my PC. But, if I can’t make it, I read, I read and I read, everywhere I can. Fantasy and sci-fi books are my always favorites. I love the fabulous Sir Terence David John Pratchett, Terry Goodkind, Roger Zelazny, Andrzej Sapkowski, Robert Heinlein, George R.R. Martin and many others!
DST: How did you discover digital scrapbooking?
A-liya: This versatile, beautiful and fairy world was opened up for me by my friend Irina (designer Irene Alexeeva). It was the autumn 2009. She showed her fantastic layouts with her little daughter Arina and I wanted to make a baby album, too. So I started to study Photoshop to make layouts and quick-pages. First, I used kits of other designers, but later I felt the desire to create something of my own. In February 2008 I found my first digital home. And ever since, I am happy to create! So thank you, Irene!
You can find A-liya Designs at Scrappity-Doo-Dah and CU4You. Check out Elena’s blog, too!
Here is one of Elena’s beautiful kits:
Every Day’s Charm by A-Liya Designs
And enjoy these beautiful layouts by Elena’s creative team:
Elena has graciously created a freebie add-on to Every Day’s Charm!
Download the Every Day’s Charm freebie by clicking here.
Thanks, Elena! It was fun getting to know you better!
We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering this new designer along with us. Come back next month to meet a new designer and to get more inspiration!
Elena is a wonderful digital artist! Every kit she creates is magical and beautifully orchestrated! Congratulations, Elena!
Thanks for this cute add-on! I love your designs!
Thanks so much, this is a Gorgeous freebie,
Beautiful colours and great design.
Thank you so much for this lovely, lovely add on…I can’t wait to play with it! :~)
Congrats Elena! This is SUCH a beautiful kit; love it!
Bernie x
I love your kits Elena…I think I have most of them! Thank you for the freebie add-on.
Gorgeous kit! Thank you for this lovely gift.
Thank you for this wonderful add-on, and would like to say that all your kits are wonderful.
Thanks so much Elena…what a beautiful kit and thank you for the lovely gift
Beautiful, thanks so much!
Yay! Thank you to introducing me to another amazing designer; Her work is beautiful! I must go check out her shoppe! And thank you also for the gorgeous gift!
It is so sweet of you to share your talent with this adorable, charming kit. Lovely color scheme and play of selected elements as a complement to your papers. Thank you for this gift. It has been truly interesting to meet you and your wonderful family. Through online digital scrapping, I can explore the world and meet so many talented people. Hugs.
I enjoyed getting to know Elena. I think it’s so amazing that we can get to know people all around the world through this amazing hobby. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful kit, Elena!
Many thanks for this wonderful gift !
Congratulations for your splendid works !
Hugs
Thank you so much!
Lovely kit by a Great Designer.
I must have a couple early of Elena’s early works, because I remember thinking they had exceptional quality for free kits of that time, and purchased ones, too! She does very nice work. Thank you for the gift!
Thank you so much, your freebie is just gorgeous.
Beautiful kit!!! Thanks so much!