Stampin' Mama: A mama that stamps: Journaling 101 Online Course Design Team Bio

Today, I'd like to introduce you to one of the AWESOME members of the Design Team that I've put together for the Journaling 101 Online Scrapbooking Course.

Today's Design Team Spotlight is on Heather Nichols.

I've been a fan of Heather's work since way back when I first became a member over at Splitcoast. I've followed her blog for quite some time now. When I was thinking of what I would write about Heather for this spotlight post, I described her style to myself (because, yes, I talk to myself all the time) as simple and rustic. When Heather sent me her bio to share with you all, that's exactly how she described herself! Apparently, great minds think alike!

Heather has a brilliant and unique way of taking Kraft cardstock and turning every humble piece into a masterpiece. She has a large and varied skill set when it comes to designing cards, projects and scrapbook pages. She can go simple and classic, rustic and charming, over the top, vintage and feminine.....she can do them all and still stay true to her unique sense of style.

I was so excited when Heather agreed to be a part of my Design Team for this round of the Journaling 101 Online Scrapbooking Course. I can't wait to see what she creates, but I know that whatever it is, it's totally gonna ROCK!

I asked Heather to tell us a little bit about herself:

In her words:

Most people know me from my blog as pine (which came from my online username pinefeather) or in real life Heather Nichols. I live in St. Cloud , MN with my husband Chad and daughters Tacy (8) and Hana (5). When I am not stamping, scrapbooking, or working on other design projects I am taking care of my girls. My oldest daughter, Tacy, is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and autism. I am always busy with her appointments and care as well as being part of committees and groups that benefit special needs children and their families.

I began stamping when I was about 12 years old. I was given a tackle box of stamps and supplies for Christmas that year and have been going ever since – needing more of a room now than a tackle box to store all of my supplies! I majored in graphic design in college and have always had a huge interest in printmaking, bookbinding, and paper arts in general. I went to my first Stampin' Up! Workshop in 1997 and became a demonstrator in 2002 (and continued until this past summer.) Soon after I joined the online community www.splitcoaststampers.com and had the honor of being a guest designer and then a part of their Dirty Dozen design team. After being on the team, I started doing design work for other paper crafting companies and also was published in Card Creations and Stamp It! magazines. In 2007, Nichole Heady approached me to be a part of the design team for her new company, Papertrey Ink, and it has been a perfect fit. This past August I launched my own stamp line with Papertrey Ink called Pinefeather Press.

I have always been interested in scrapbooking and try to work a project in whenever I can so someday my stacks of photos will become contained in albums and on pages for my family to enjoy. I am so excited to be a part of this course and it will be such a learning experience for me. Writing isn't one of my strong points, but I know it's so important to tell the stories on our pages. I think I normally get distracted by the glitter and buttons that I want to add to my pages where my journaling should go!

My design style is pretty simple and rustic. I love natural colors and vintage materials. I love kraft paper and white ink. I love to play with simple techniques and incorporating them into my projects.

I am sharing one of my favorite scrapbook pages of my daughter Hana when she was 3 months old. I love the pictures of her in the natural light and the expression on her face. I had so much fun adding the stamped word confetti for my journaling onto the page. I also created the fun glitter heart embellishments, stamped the heart pattern paper on the page, and made the sweet coordinating cards to share with friends (I am big about making several projects with the same colors/theme as long as I have all the materials out and in front of me!)

You can find out more about me and the projects I love to create at my blog: Pine is Here

I asked Heather to share one of her favorite layouts with us and I was so tickled that she shared not only a layout, but also the matching cards, too!

If you've been thinking about taking this course and you want to take your scrapbooking and journaling to the next level, make sure to check out the course information and register today!

Click here to find out more ---> Journaling 101 Online Scrapbooking Course