Guest Designer: Anabelle O'Malley

Our guest designer this week is the talented Anabelle O'Malley!

Tell us about yourself:
Hi! I’m Anabelle O’Malley! I live in Delaware with my husband and our eight year old son, Ryan, and our orange tabby kitten, Pulu. I wish I could spend every day crafting in my scraproom, but I have to pay the bills somehow, so I also work at the University of Delaware in the Early Childhood Department. I’ve been paper crafting for the past seven years and have loved every minute of it. It truly is my creative outlet. As a child, I would spend hours drawing and making cards for people, so this is just a natural extension of my love for all things paper. Along with creating layouts, I still love card making and trying out new techniques. My creations contain lots of texture and details. I love all things bright, fun, shiny, soft, “vintage-y” and layered. When I’m not spending time with my family and friends, I can be found cooking, eating, shopping, reading, or hanging out at the gym. I also spend way too much time online.

How did you get started scrapbooking?
I've always been a papercrafter! When I was in junior high, I started placing my photos in albums. Since there were no real scrapbooking products, I'd scour magazines for phrases and pictures and decorated the pages of my albums with them. In the late 90s, I started scrapping with some of the supplies that were just coming out on the market. I created several albums worth of pages before I realized that I just didn't have the time to do it - given that I was teaching elementary school at the time. Several years later in 2004, when Ryan was celebrating his first birthday, I decided that I wanted to try again so that I could preserve our memories for him. Being at home with him gave me the time to create and soon I was hooked! Seven years later, I'm still addicted to this craft.

What is your favorite American Crafts product?
I just adore embellishments, so I'd have to say that the Delights and the Bits are my favorites. I love the pinwheels I got to use on my projects here and the Amy Tangerine leaves were really fun, too!

Camera Shy by Anabelle O'Malley

My son is such a ham in front of the camera! I was trying to get a good shot of him during our trip to the Linvilla Orchards. Of course he had to make a goofy face. I love this picture because of the expression on MY face. I'm thinking that there's nothing I can do about it, except laugh. I decided to make a banner on this page. I cut some of the papers into banners, added my photo, and sewed together some of the paper leaves. I layered the Thickers right onto the leaves and used lots of foam tabs to give this one some added dimension.

Supplies: Get Around Paper (35561) - Amy Tangerine, Here There Paper (35562) - Amy Tangerine, Field House Paper Leaves (77258) - House, Orange You Glad Paper (35544) - Amy Tangerine, Work in Progress Paper (35546) - Amy Tangerine, Decorative Tape (61749) - Mixtape, Hi Friend Dimensional Stickers (42214) - Remarks, Hanging Out Paper (35560) - Amy Tangerine, Fabric Brads (85567) - Elements, Lovely Mulberry (53245) - Thickers, Foam Tabs Circles (61709) - This to That, Adhesive Dispenser Dots (61713) - This to That

Dream Big Card by Anabelle O'Malley

I love the colors in the Amy Tangerine line so I decided to create my own background using them. I cut 1/2 inch strips and adhered them to a panel of cardstock. Then I stitched around the edges and adhered the panel to my card. I cut one of the frames from the patterned paper and added a dimensional sticker and some leaves to it. Finally, I cut a strip of fabric paper which I stitched and pulled the thread to make a couple of flowers.

Supplies: Work in Progress Paper (35546) - Amy Tangerine, Yes Peas Paper (35549) - Amy Tangerine, Sign on the Dotted Paper (35543) - Amy Tangerine, Scatter Sunshine Paper (35554) - Amy Tangerine, Hanging Out Paper (35564) - Amy Tangerine, Light Bright Fabric Paper (35564) -  Amy Tangerine, Oh Happy Grey Paper (35565) - Amy Tangerine, Hi Friend Dimensional Stickers (42214) - Remarks, Field House Paper Leaves (77258) - House, Foam Tabs Circles (61709) - This to That, Adhesive Dispenser Dots (61713) - This to That

Pokemon Love by Anabelle O'Malley

I love using lots of embellishments on my pages. I cut the Chap tabs in half and used the back sides of them to create a border down the side of this page. While trimming a piece of paper, one of the curled, thin, scraps fell onto the page. I liked how it looked, so I cut more, adhered them to the paper and layered my photos over them. It looks like thread or twine that automatically matches the page.

Supplies: Chap Frames and Journaling Cards (64012) - Just Write, Eric Corn (53251) - Thickers, Chap Tabs (77261) - Bits, Alex (72023) - Delights, Chap Epoxy Brads (85568) - Elements, Jim Paper (35567) - Chap, Jacob Paper (35568) - Chap, Foam Tabs Circles (61709) - This to That, Adhesive Dispenser Dots (61713) - This to That

Best of 2011 Mini Album by Anabelle O'Malley

I decided I wanted to make an album showcasing my favorite pictures from each month. To me, great pictures aren't always about composition and clarity. They are about the memories and the feelings they evoke. I chose photos that highlighted something special from each month. The album showcases a year of wonderful events and moments that I cherish. I used the journaling cards and frames as my base and die cut some stars to use as a cohesive element.

Supplies: Chap Frames and Journaling Cards (64012) - Just Write, Eric Corn (53251) - Thickers, Chap Tabs (77261) - Bits, Alex (72023) - Delights, Chap Epoxy Brads (85568) - Elements, Foam Tabs Circles (61709) - This to That, Adhesive Dispenser Dots (61713) - This to That, Cameron Paper (35570) - Chap, Grant Paper (35571) - Chap, Ben Paper (35578) - Chap, Dave Paper (35569) - Chap, James Paper (35574) - Chap, Josh  Charcoal (53253) - Thickers, Chap Hans (89419) - Ribbon

Visit Anabelle on her blog and find what inspires her on pinterest!

 

PS - Congrats to the randomly selected winner of the new AC Cutup Trimmer - Rebecca Lovell:

Comments

[conniemelancon]

Love all your projects especially the mini.

[danni reid]

GORGEOUS work my sweet friend, love seeing your work here, you're amazing♥

[Monique L.]

Amazing work Anabelle!! Love every single project!

[Deanna Misner]

What amazing projects! I LOVE your work Anabelle! Congrats on GDT!

[CarolM]

absolutely stunning!!!!

[Daniela]

So bright and fun!! Love it all, especially the mini album. Congrats!!!

[Ann Cicilie]

WOW Anabelle, thanks for all the stunning inspiration! You rock AC prodcuts!

[Pam]

GORGEOUS projects Anabelle! I am such a fan of your beautiful work! COngrats on the guest design spot, VERY well deserved!

[Sherri]

Yay for you Anabelle! You did some amazing stuff with this product. Love that mini, what a great idea.

[Steph Lee (Arty Carty)]

Stunning work Anabelle! congrats on the guest design spot!

[Kate Vickers]

Gorgeous work, as usual, Anabelle! Congrats on the guest spot! :-)

[staceymichaud]

Anabelle, you are so, so talented! Beautiful work!

[Becky Williams]

Congratulations, Anabelle! You did an incredible job!

[Amy H]

Yay Annabelle!! ALWAYS love your work!! Gorgeous!

[Marinette]

Gorgeous creations Anabelle! I love so much your work♥♥♥

[Romy]

Big congrats, Anabelle! You know I'm a big fan of your work:) Just love everything you made for AC!

[Holly E]

These are great 'boy' layouts! Ive been looking for some ideas for my sons pages.

[Renee Zwirek]

I love these projects...especially the card and mini. So pretty!

[Annika Elgale]

Oh my! Great projects Anabelle! Awsome design! You rock!

[caroline hancock]

fabulous layouts and i LOVE that mini album it is fabaulous, thanks for sharing your awesome work :)

[alice pace]

Wonderful work love all color combos. I can't wait to start my book. American crafts makes it so easy!

[Melinda T]

Loved what I saw! Thanks AC for featuring guest designers, its always nice to see some new faces and inspiration! Awesome job Anabelle, will definitely be checking out your blog!

[Wendy Hammer (Reed)]

Oh yay! Love her and LOVE her work! Great choice for a guest!

[Sav O'G]

WOOOOOOW! I love Anabelle O'Malley--she is super talented!

[Danielle]

You rock, girl!! Love your projects.

[Cassandra]

WTG Anabelle! You rocked the AC products with your awesome projects! Congrats on the GDT!:)

[Becky]

Ohhhhh I love these designs! The 2011 mini album of highlights is such a good idea! Love it! I am inspired!

[Marielle]

beautiful work Anabelle,love the mini with tha stars !!!

[Danielle Flanders]

Congrats, Anabelle! These are gorgeous!!!!!!